Overview
THAAD provides a transportable, rapidly deployable ground-based regional missile defense capability to intercept and destroy short, medium, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles in the terminal or final phase of flight.
Sept. 10, 2013 - Two THAAD interceptors and a ...
Key Features
THAAD is designed to intercept threats both inside and outside the Earth's atmosphere providing a critical capability for defense against ballistic missile attacks. The system is mobile, rapidly deployable and able to defend military, allied forces, citizen population centers, critical infrastructure and other critical assets anywhere in the world within hours.
DESIGN BENEFITS
- Attitude and axial control
- Hit-to-kill precision
- Hypergolic, bi-propellant
- Compact
- Reliable history from Minuteman III to Peacekeeper Stage 4
- Thrust vectoring nozzle
OUR ROLE
L3Harris supplies both the solid rocket booster motor technology that powers the interceptor, as well as the Divert and Attitude Control System (DACS), a high-precision, quick-reaction propulsion system that positions the interceptor to successfully defeat an incoming ballistic missile.
The unique DACS provides two kinds of propulsion: one for attitude control and another for kill-vehicle maneuvering. The DACS uses six thrusters to provide roll, pitch and yaw control for the interceptor. These thrusters work together to precisely stabilize the interceptor-seeker field of view for proper target visibility. The seeker's target data are then converted into maneuvering or divert commands that actuate the other four DACS thrusters as required. The four divert thrusters provide short, forceful pulses to quickly and accurately position the THAAD kill vehicle for target intercept. The DACS performs over a demanding range of temperatures, shock and vibration-flight environments.
Approved for Public Release
19-MDA-9965 (13 Mar 19)
Media Gallery
What is THAAD?
...
October 21, 2009 - THAAD launcher. (Credit: MD...
July 11, 2017 - THAAD interceptor launched dur...
July 11, 2017 - A THAAD interceptor is launche...
A Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) ...
Aug. 30, 2019 - U.S. MDA, Ballistic Missile De...
Aug. 30, 2019 - A THAAD interceptor is launche...
Photo is from second launch on Nov. 1, 2015. (...
July 12, 2006 - A successful launch of a THAAD...
June 29, 2010 - The MDA and U.S. Army soldiers...
Nov. 1, 2015 - THAAD interceptor is launched f...
Related News
Press release | 07. 27. 2026
L3Harris Signs Framework to Quadruple THAAD Propulsion Production
L3Harris Technologies has signed a framework agreement with the Department of War and Lockheed Martin for a multi-year contract to quadruple propulsion production for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system.
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