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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]]
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.
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 supposedly 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.
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.
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 it is likely 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 system]]s. 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.
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 it is likely 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 system]]s. 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.