IRIA News

3 minute read

U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) awarded American defense manufacturer Lockheed Martin a $2.8 billion follow-on development contract for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Weapon System, on February 6, 2025.

This indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract will support the continued enhancement of THAAD’s capabilities over the next five years, with two extension options that could extend the period of performance to up to 10 years. If both options are exercised, the contract’s total value could reach $2.8 billion. These developments will further strengthen THAAD’s ability to counter increasingly sophisticated missile threats.

The latest contract builds upon the THAAD Advanced Capability Development contract awarded in 2012, further refining the system’s performance. Development efforts will be outlined through separate task orders issued throughout the contract’s duration.

Vice president of Upper Tier Integrated Air and Missile Defense at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Dan Nimblett said, “The combat-proven THAAD interceptor is an effective deterrent against a range of ballistic missile threats, and we are pleased to continue advancing its capabilities for our current and future customers.”

Nimblett further highlighted that “THAAD is a key part of our missile defense architecture, and this vote of confidence from the MDA reinforces our commitment to jointly delivering enhanced defensive capability against emerging missile threats.”

THAAD System

THAAD is a highly effective, combat-proven missile defense system, designed to intercept and neutralize short, medium, and intermediate-range ballistic missile threats. It is the only U.S. system capable of intercepting targets both inside and outside the atmosphere.

THAAD System employs Hit-to-Kill technology, eliminating threats through direct impact to neutralize lethal payloads before they can reach protected assets on the ground. It has achieved a perfect 17-for-17 intercept record in flight tests, with 16 of those intercepts utilizing a THAAD interceptor. The THAAD Weapon System has successfully integrated with the PAC-3 MSE interceptor, demonstrating the ability to fire and control PAC-3 MSEs to intercept ballistic missile targets.

The system works as part of an integrated, multi-layered defense network, complementing systems such as Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense, Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3), and Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) for long-range homeland defense.

THAAD is currently deployed in several strategic locations worldwide, including, Guam and South Korea, for regional missile defense, in the Middle East, to protect against potential ballistic missile attacks, as well as U.S. Army units for homeland and allied protection.

The system has been extensively tested, demonstrating a near-perfect intercept record in controlled trials. Its deployment strengthens regional and global missile defense capabilities, offering reliable protection against adversarial missile threats. With continuous upgrades and global deployment, THAAD remains at the forefront of defending against modern and future missile threats.

Each THAAD battery comprises six truck-mounted launchers, 48 interceptors, and radio and radar equipment. It requires about 95 to 100 soldiers to operate the system. According to a Congressional Research Service report, the United States military has seven THAAD batteries, each equipped with six truck-mounted launchers (with eight interceptors each), a powerful radar system, and a fire control and communications component.

Key Components of the THAAD battery:

• Launcher: A highly mobile, truck-mounted system capable of being stored and quickly deployed. It can fire interceptors and be quickly reloaded for subsequent engagements.
• Interceptors: Each launcher holds up to eight interceptors designed to neutralize incoming threats.
• Radar: The Army Navy/Transportable Radar Surveillance (AN/TPY-2) is the largest air-transportable x-band radar in the world. It searches, tracks, and discriminates objects, providing updated tracking data to the interceptor.
• Fire Control: This is the communications and data-management backbone, linking the THAAD components together. It also connects THAAD to external Command and Control nodes and integrates it into the broader missile defense system, planning and executing intercept solutions.
• Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) Launcher: Adding MSE to the THAAD arsenal increases engagement opportunities and conserves THAAD interceptors.