Difference between revisions of "THAAD"
(→2024 deployment) |
m (that is what the cited source says. Feel free to add a more recent source if there is newer information) |
||
| Line 12: | Line 12: | ||
==Design and function== | ==Design and function== | ||
[[File:THAAD diagram.jpg|thumbnail|right|The design of a THAAD rocket|500px]] | [[File:THAAD diagram.jpg|thumbnail|right|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. THAAD is | + | 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. THAAD is reportedly 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. |
1 battery has between 6-9 launchers for a maximum of 72 missiles. At 2 missiles per incoming target, 1 battery at full strength can be used against 36 incoming targets. The US has only 7 batteries - each containing at least 6-9 launchers, supported by fire control and communications stations, and a radar group. Construction of an 8th battery was announced in 2022 but was not expected to be complete until at least 2025, illustrating the very long lead times involved. Each THAAD launcher holds 8 missiles at the ready with up to 48-72 missiles in total per battery - this means that all 7 US batteries, firing 2 missiles per incoming round to maximize the probability of interception could attempt to intercept between 168-252 incoming targets. | 1 battery has between 6-9 launchers for a maximum of 72 missiles. At 2 missiles per incoming target, 1 battery at full strength can be used against 36 incoming targets. The US has only 7 batteries - each containing at least 6-9 launchers, supported by fire control and communications stations, and a radar group. Construction of an 8th battery was announced in 2022 but was not expected to be complete until at least 2025, illustrating the very long lead times involved. Each THAAD launcher holds 8 missiles at the ready with up to 48-72 missiles in total per battery - this means that all 7 US batteries, firing 2 missiles per incoming round to maximize the probability of interception could attempt to intercept between 168-252 incoming targets. | ||
Revision as of 04:53, October 21, 2025
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.[1] THAAD was first used on May 14, 2017,[2] and it was successfully tested on July 11, 2017.[3]
THAAD can be used on short and medium range ballistic missiles but not on ICBMs.[3]
Design and function
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. THAAD is reportedly the most advanced missile defense system known in the world. So far, it boasts a 100% success rate.[4] Largely due to their size, the rockets are portable, and often deployed on trucks. They can also be carried by other vehicles, including ships.
1 battery has between 6-9 launchers for a maximum of 72 missiles. At 2 missiles per incoming target, 1 battery at full strength can be used against 36 incoming targets. The US has only 7 batteries - each containing at least 6-9 launchers, supported by fire control and communications stations, and a radar group. Construction of an 8th battery was announced in 2022 but was not expected to be complete until at least 2025, illustrating the very long lead times involved. Each THAAD launcher holds 8 missiles at the ready with up to 48-72 missiles in total per battery - this means that all 7 US batteries, firing 2 missiles per incoming round to maximize the probability of interception could attempt to intercept between 168-252 incoming targets.
The THAAD system was reportedly deployed to Israel in 2019 as part of a training exercise to make future deployments faster and more effective.
2024 deployment
Military analyst Brian Berletic reports THAAD production is low. From 2008 to 2024, Lockheed Martin produced 800 missiles, approximately 50 a year. In October 2024, The Times of Israel reported the THAAD system had been deployed to Israel. Berletic commented that not enough launchers exist for the quantity of missiles required to defend against the type of missile barrage Iran launched against Israel in early October 2024, which easily overwhelmed Israel's existing anti-ballistic missile systems. Even if the launchers did exist, the 180 missiles Iran reportedly launched, requiring up to 2 interceptors each, would have exhausted nearly half of all THAAD missiles ever produced. Berletic postulated that it is unlikely 1 battery (together with Israel's existing air defenses) will be enough to prevent a large scale missile barrage from inflicting heavy damage. Successive waves of missiles will not only exhaust both Israeli and US interceptors, it will leave the US depleted for years to come.
In the 12 Day War it was estimated that about 15% of the THAAD inventory was used up in about two weeks.[5]
References
- ↑ Multiple references:
- Diaz, Alex (April 17, 2017). US missile system en route to Korean peninsula. Fox News. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
- Dickstein, Corey (May 1, 2017). THAAD now ready to defend South Korea against missile attacks. Stars and Stripes. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
- Hayward, John (May 2, 2017). U.S. Military: THAAD Missile System Operational in South Korea. Breitbart News. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
- Connor, Neil (May 2, 2017). US Thaad missile system operational in South Korea, as Pyongyang says region on brink of nuclear war. The Telegraph. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
- ↑ Kim, Christine; Miles, Tom (May 16, 2017). North Korea missile detected by THAAD, program progressing faster than expected: South Korea. Reuters. Retrieved May 16, 2017.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Multiple references:
- 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). U.S. THAAD missile defenses hit test target as North Korea tension rises. Reuters. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
- ↑ https://www.businessinsider.com/thaad-missile-defense-2016
- ↑ https://x.com/carolinalion2/status/1937973878741209349?s=46
