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| | [[File:Thaad launch.jpg|thumbnail|The launch of a THAAD rocket|150px]] | | [[File:Thaad launch.jpg|thumbnail|The launch of a THAAD rocket|150px]] |
| − | The '''Terminal High Altitude Area Defense''' system (formerly known as ''Theater High Altitude Area Defense''), or '''THAAD''', is the latest version of the [[missile-defense system]] used by the [[United States]]. On May 2, 2017, officials confirmed that it has been deployed in [[South Korea]] to defend against [[communist]] [[North Korea]]. | + | The '''Terminal High Altitude Area Defense''' system (formerly known as ''Theater High Altitude Area Defense''), or '''THAAD''', is the latest version of the [[missile-defense system]] used by the [[United States]]. On May 2, 2017, officials confirmed that it has been deployed in [[South Korea]] to defend against [[communist]] [[North Korea]], despite [[China]]'s strong objections.<ref>Multiple references: |
| | + | * Diaz, Alex (April 17, 2017). [http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/04/17/us-missile-system-en-route-to-korean-peninsula.html US missile system en route to Korean peninsula]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved April 18, 2017. |
| | + | * Dickstein, Corey (May 1, 2017). [https://www.stripes.com/news/thaad-now-ready-to-defend-south-korea-against-missile-attacks-1.466295#.WQnPh4jytPY THAAD now ready to defend South Korea against missile attacks]. ''Stars and Stripes''. Retrieved May 3, 2017. |
| | + | * Hayward, John (May 2, 2017). [http://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2017/05/02/u-s-military-thaad-missile-defense-system-now-operational-in-south-korea/ U.S. Military: THAAD Missile System Operational in South Korea]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 3, 2017. |
| | + | *Connor, Neil (May 2, 2017). [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/05/02/us-thaad-missile-system-operational-south-korea-pyongyang-says/ US Thaad missile system operational in South Korea, as Pyongyang says region on brink of nuclear war]. ''The Telegraph''. Retrieved July 11, 2017.</ref> THAAD was first used on May 14, 2017,<ref>Kim, Christine; Miles, Tom (May 16, 2017). [http://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-missiles-usa-idUSKCN18B1V4 North Korea missile detected by THAAD, program progressing faster than expected: South Korea]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved May 16, 2017.</ref> and it was successfully tested on July 11, 2017.<ref name="SuccessTest">Multiple references: |
| | + | *[http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/07/11/us-successfully-tests-thaad-missile-system-amid-north-korean-tensions.html US successfully tests THAAD missile system amid North Korean tensions]. ''Fox News''. July 11, 2017. Retrieved July 11, 2017. |
| | + | *Stewart, Phil; Ali, Idrees (July 11, 2017). [http://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-missiles-usa-defenses-idUSKBN19W15R U.S. THAAD missile defenses hit test target as North Korea tension rises]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved July 11, 2017.</ref> |
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| | + | THAAD can be used on short and medium range ballistic missiles but not on [[ICBM]]s.<ref name="SuccessTest"/> |
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| − | THAAD shoots down long-range missiles in mid-flight or as they near their target. It does not intercept them at the launch phase, and is ineffective against intermediate-range missiles of the kind that North Korea has been testing in late 2016 and early 2017.<ref>www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/10/15/north-korea-s-scary-new-nuke-missiles</ref>
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| | ==Design and function== | | ==Design and function== |
| | [[File:THAAD diagram.jpg|thumbnail|left|The design of a THAAD rocket|500px]] | | [[File:THAAD diagram.jpg|thumbnail|left|The design of a THAAD rocket|500px]] |