Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)

Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)

The THAAD missile defense system destroys incoming ballistic missiles during their final or "terminal" phase of flight. A THAAD battery consists of 95 soldiers, 6 launchers, a radar unit, fire control vehicles, and a communications module.

Can engage targets just outside Earth's atmosphere

"Kill vehicle"

6.2 m

Booster separates from "kill vehicle"

Booster

Fire control and communication support

Launcher with 8 interceptors

THAAD Interceptor

XN-TPY-2 Radar unit

Range: 200 km

Diameter: 0.4 m

Altitude: 40 - 150 km

Weight: ~ 662 kg

Interceptor is launched when target in range

Radar with a range of up to 2,000 km detects incoming threat

"Kill vehicle" collides with target, destroying it