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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]], despite [[China]]'s strong objections.<ref>Multiple references:

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.

* Diaz, Alex (April 17, 2017). [https://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.

* 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). [https://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.

* Hayward, John (May 2, 2017). [https://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). [https://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). [https://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:

*Connor, Neil (May 2, 2017). [https://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). [https://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.

*[https://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). [https://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>

*Stewart, Phil; Ali, Idrees (July 11, 2017). [https://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>

==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]]

The THAAD rocket stands at just over 20 feet long (242.9 inches).  It does not use explosives—it destroys missiles using kinetic energy (by impact).  It essentially contains only a rocket booster and guidance package.  However, THAAD is currently the most advanced missile defense system known in the world. So far, it boasts a 100% success rate.<ref>http://www.businessinsider.com/thaad-missile-defense-2016</ref> Largely due to their size, the rockets are portable, and often deployed on trucks.  They can also be carried by other vehicles, including ships.

The THAAD rocket stands at just over 20 feet long (242.9 inches).  It does not use explosives—it destroys missiles using kinetic energy (by impact).  It essentially contains only a rocket booster and guidance package.  However, THAAD is currently the most advanced missile defense system known in the world. So far, it boasts a 100% success rate.<ref>https://www.businessinsider.com/thaad-missile-defense-2016</ref> Largely due to their size, the rockets are portable, and often deployed on trucks.  They can also be carried by other vehicles, including ships.

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