Lockheed Martin Successfully Tests Entire THAAD Weapon System

Lockheed Martin and the US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) successfully conducted an integrated Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) flight test at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), NM. This is the first developmental flight test to engage the entire THAAD system, including the THAAD interceptor, launcher, radar and fire control system. Specific test objectives included demonstrating all major elements of the THAAD weapon system during engagement of a virtual target: interceptor launch and control; kill vehicle control in response to in-flight up-links; seeker operation; and radar acquisition, track and in-flight communications with the interceptor. All test objectives were achieved. “We achieved a major milestone by successfully testing all of the elements of the THAAD system and proving the system’s capability,” said Tom McGrath, program manager and vice president for THAAD at Lockheed Martin. “The THAAD flight demonstrations will continue to grow in difficulty and we are eager to press forward. We are confident that the successful completion of these tests will yield a system we will be proud to turn over to our warfighters.” US Army soldiers from Fort Bliss’ 6th Brigade participated in the test, with two soldiers conducting radar operations, two soldiers assisting contractors at the launcher and one soldier assisting contractors at the THAAD fire control and communications. This is the second successful THAAD developmental flight test conducted since flight testing resumed for the program in November 2005. Three more tests are scheduled to occur at WSMR before THAAD testing moves to the Pacific Missile Range facility in Hawaii. The THAAD interceptor uses hit-to-kill technology to destroy targets and is the only weapon system that engages threat ballistic missiles at both endo- and exo-atmospheric altitudes. A key element of the nation’s Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS), THAAD is a Missile Defense Agency program, with the program office located in Huntsville, AL. The agency is developing a BMDS to defend the United States, its deployed forces, friends and allies against ballistic missiles of all ranges and in all phases of flight.