THAAD Missile System
Why in News?
The Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) system is a central focus of global news due to its high-intensity combat usage in the ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict and reported structural damages to its regional network.
Key Features
- Core Purpose: A transportable US anti-ballistic missile system designed to intercept short, medium, and intermediate-range missiles during their terminal phase (descent).
- Hit-to-Kill Technology: Unlike traditional systems that use explosives, THAAD interceptors use pure kinetic energy to destroy targets by colliding with them directly.
- Atmospheric Versatility: It is the only US system capable of intercepting targets both inside (endoatmospheric) and outside (exoatmospheric) the Earth's atmosphere.
Primary Components:
- Interceptors: 8 per launcher; single-stage solid-fuel rockets travelling at Mach 8.
- Radar (AN/TPY-2): An X-band radar capable of tracking threats up to 1,000 km in terminal mode and 3,000 km in forward-based mode.
- Launchers: Six truck-mounted units per battery.
Operational Range & Altitude:
- Interception Range: Approximately 150–200 kilometres.
- Max Altitude: Up to 150 kilometres.
- Layered Defence: THAAD is designed to be interoperable with Patriot (lower-tier) and Aegis (upper-tier) systems to create a multi-layered defensive shield.
- Manufacturers: Primarily developed by Lockheed Martin, with Raytheon providing the radar systems.
- Unit Cost: A single THAAD battery costs roughly $1 billion, with individual interceptor missiles priced at approximately $13 million each.
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