THAAD battery stands up

David Donald

Tuesday, 17 June, 2008

In a ceremony at Fort Bliss on 28 May the US Army activated its first Lockheed Martin Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAA D) battery. Alpha Battery of the 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, will receive a system comprising fire control and radar units, three launchers and 24 THAAD interceptors.
The unit is also receiving logistics support assets, including the Battery Support Center and Integrated Contractor Support System. THAAD training began in April, and A4 Battery is now preparing for full-system fielding next year.
THAAD uses hit-to-kill technology to defend against short and intermediate-range ballistic missiles, and is the only system to offer both exoand endo-atmospheric engagement capabilities. A production contract for the first two fire units was awarded in late 2006. THAAD launchers and associated fire control systems are manufactured in Camden, Arkansas, while the interceptor vehicles are built at Pike County, Troy, Alabama.
Seven successful test launches have been undertaken since November 2005, and four more are due to be undertaken – two in FY08 and two in FY09. Lockheed Martin (Stand J140f) also recently achieved a significant milestone in another big-ticket air defence programme with the successful first test of the PAC-3 MSE (Missile Segment Enhancement) at the White Sands range in New Mexico. PAC-3 MSE was selected to be the Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) primary interceptor.
MSE adds several spiral improvements to the proven PAC-3, including a larger-diameter motor with a second pulse, enlarged aerodynamic and control surfaces to accommodate the increased performance envelope, and larger thermal batteries to match performance and longer mission time. PAC-3 MSE has also been repackaged into a single stackable canister rather than the current four-pack, increasing loadout versatility for use with the Patriot and MEADS systems.
White Sands was also the location for another recent Lockheed Martin first. Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) rockets were launched from a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) vehicle using the new Universal Fire Control System (UFCS). Earlier, in March, UFCS was used to test-fire the ATACMS missile from a HIMARS. UFCS has just completed its development and qualification programme, and deliveries are now included in the full-rate HIMARS production.
HIMARS can launch the entire MLRS munition family, and its rapid redeployment capability allows it to vacate the firing area long before hostile forces can locate the launch site.

THAAD is a key element in the Ballistic Missile Defense System, operating in conjunction with the lower-tier PAC-3/MEADS