Terminal High Altitude Area Defense

Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), formerly Theater High Altitude Area Defense, is an American anti-ballistic missile defense system, deployed since 2008, designed to intercept and destroy short-, medium-, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles in their terminal phase (descent or reentry). The THAAD interceptor carries no warhead, instead relying on its kinetic energy of impact to destroy the incoming missile. THAAD was developed after the experience of Iraq's Scud missile attacks during the Gulf War in 1991. THAAD has an operational range of 200 km. Each battery consists of six transporter erector launcher trucks with eight launch tubes each, 48 interceptors, one AN/TPY-2 transportable radar, three control stations, and a crew of 90 soldiers. The control stations connect to the US C2BMC communications system, integrating THAAD into a layered air defense architecture alongside the longer-range Ground-Based Interceptor, the similar-range Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System, and shorter-range MIM-104 Patriot. A United States Army program, THAAD is also under the umbrella of the Missile Defense Agency. THAAD was originally scheduled for deployment in 2012, but initial deployment took place in May 2008. As of 2025, the US Army's Air Defense Artillery Branch operated eight THAAD batteries. Until 2026, five batteries were based in the US, one in Guam, one in South Korea, while the destination of the eighth battery was unclear. The US Army has deployed THAAD to Israel, Jordan, Romania, and South Korea. Additionally, the United Arab Emirates Air Force operates two batteries and the Royal Saudi Air Force operates one battery with plans to procure a further six. The deployment of a US THAAD in South Korea, announced in 2016 and begun in 2017, allegedly in response to North Korean nuclear and missile capabilities, played a major role in South Korean politics and heightened tensions with China and North Korea, who each feared it would erode their nuclear deterrence. THAAD made its first operational interception during the Abu Dhabi attack in January 2022, with an Emirati battery intercepting a ballistic missile fired by the Houthis in Yemen. The U . Army deployed a THAAD battery to Israel in October 2024, in the aftermath of the 2024 Iran–Israel conflict. Interceptors were intermittently fired against Houthi missile attacks. In the June 2025 Twelve-Day War, reportedly over 150 interceptors were fired, comprising 25% of total number of missiles funded by all prior US military budgets. During the 2026 Iran war, an Iranian strike apparently destroyed a THAAD radar in Jordan. The US then began relocating the THAAD from South Korea to the Middle East.

Infobox

Type

Mobile anti-ballistic missile system

Place of origin

United States

In service

2008–present

Used by

United States Army

Wars

2022 Abu Dhabi attack Twelve-Day War 2026 Iran war

Designer

Lockheed

Designed

1992–1999

Manufacturer

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control

Unit cost

US$1 billion per battery US$12 million per missile (FY2017)

Produced

2008–present

No. built

numerous

Mass

2,000 lb (900 kg)

Length

20 ft 3 in (6 m)

Diameter

13 in (340 mm) (booster) 15 in (370 mm) (kill vehicle)

Engine

Single-stage rocket by Aerojet Rocketdyne

Propellant

Pratt & Whitney solid-fueled rocket

Operational range

120 mi (200 km)

Flight ceiling

93 mi (150 km)

Maximum speed

6,300 mph (2,800 m/s; 10,000 km/h; Mach 8 )

Guidance system

Indium-antimonide imaging infra-red seeker head

Accuracy

0 ft (hit to kill)

Transport

Transporter erector launcher

Tables

Demonstration and validation · Development

21 April 1995

Date

21 April 1995

Result

Success

Notes

First test flight to prove the propulsion system. There was no target in the test.

31 July 1995

Date

31 July 1995

Result

Aborted

Notes

Kill vehicle control test. The test flight was aborted. There was no target in the test.

13 October 1995

Date

13 October 1995

Result

Success

Notes

Launched to test its target-seeking system. There was no attempt to hit the target in the test.

13 December 1995

Date

13 December 1995

Result

Failure

Notes

Failed to hit a test target due to software errors in the missile's fuel system.

22 March 1996

Date

22 March 1996

Result

Failure

Notes

Failed to hit a test target due to mechanical problems with the kill vehicle's booster separation.

15 July 1996

Date

15 July 1996

Result

Failure

Notes

Failed to hit a test target due to a malfunction in the targeting system.

6 March 1997

Date

6 March 1997

Result

Failure

Notes

Failed to hit a test target due to a contamination in the electrical system.

12 May 1998

Date

12 May 1998

Result

Failure

Notes

Failed to hit a test target due to an electrical short circuit in the booster system. At this point, the US Congress reduced funding for the project due to repeated failures.

29 March 1999

Date

29 March 1999

Result

Failure

Notes

Failed to hit a test target due to multiple failures, including guidance system.

10 June 1999

Date

10 June 1999

Result

Success

Notes

Hit a test target in a simplified test scenario.

2 August 1999

Date

2 August 1999

Result

Success

Notes

Hit a test target in the thermosphere at an altitude of 91 mi (147 km)

Date	Result	Notes
21 April 1995	Success	First test flight to prove the propulsion system. There was no target in the test.
31 July 1995	Aborted	Kill vehicle control test. The test flight was aborted. There was no target in the test.
13 October 1995	Success	Launched to test its target-seeking system. There was no attempt to hit the target in the test.
13 December 1995	Failure	Failed to hit a test target due to software errors in the missile's fuel system.
22 March 1996	Failure	Failed to hit a test target due to mechanical problems with the kill vehicle's booster separation.
15 July 1996	Failure	Failed to hit a test target due to a malfunction in the targeting system.
6 March 1997	Failure	Failed to hit a test target due to a contamination in the electrical system.
12 May 1998	Failure	Failed to hit a test target due to an electrical short circuit in the booster system. At this point, the US Congress reduced funding for the project due to repeated failures.
29 March 1999	Failure	Failed to hit a test target due to multiple failures, including guidance system.
10 June 1999	Success	Hit a test target in a simplified test scenario.
2 August 1999	Success	Hit a test target in the thermosphere at an altitude of 91 mi (147 km)

· Development › Engineering and manufacturing

2005-11-22

Date

2005-11-22

Result

Success

Notes

Launched a missile in its first Flight EMD Test, known as FLT-01. The test was deemed a success by Lockheed and the Pentagon.

2006-05-11

Date

2006-05-11

Result

Success

Notes

FLT-02, the first developmental flight test to test the entire system, including interceptor, launcher, radar, and fire control system.

2006-07-12

Date

2006-07-12

Result

Success

Notes

FLT-03. Intercepted a live target missile.

2006-09-13

Date

2006-09-13

Result

Aborted

Notes

Hera target missile launched, but had to be terminated in mid-flight before the launch of the FLT-04 missile. This has officially been characterized as a "no test".

Fall 2006

Date

Fall 2006

Result

Cancelled

Notes

FLT-05, a missile-only test, was postponed until mid-spring 2007.

2007-01-27

Date

2007-01-27

Result

Success

Notes

FLT-06. Intercepted a "high endo-atmospheric" (just inside Earth's atmosphere) unitary (non-separating) target representing a "SCUD"-type ballistic missile launched from a mobile platform off Kauai in the Pacific Ocean.

2007-04-06

Date

2007-04-06

Result

Success

Notes

FLT-07 test. Intercepted a "mid endo-atmospheric" unitary target missile off Kauai in the Pacific Ocean. It successfully tested THAAD's interoperability with other elements of the MDS system.

2007-10-27

Date

2007-10-27

Result

Success

Notes

Conducted a successful exo-atmospheric test at the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) off Kauai, Hawaii. The flight test demonstrated the system's ability to detect, track and intercept an incoming unitary target above the Earth's atmosphere. The missile was hot-condition tested to prove its ability to operate in extreme environments.

2008-06-27

Date

2008-06-27

Result

Success

Notes

Downed a missile launched from a C-17 Globemaster III.

2008-09-17

Date

2008-09-17

Result

Aborted

Notes

Target missile failed shortly after launch, so neither interceptor was launched. Officially a "no test".

2009-03-17

Date

2009-03-17

Result

Success

Notes

A repeat of the September flight test. This time it was a success.

2009-12-11

Date

2009-12-11

Result

Aborted

Notes

FLT-11: The Hera target missile failed to ignite after air deployment, and the interceptor was not launched. Officially a "no test".

2010-06-29

Date

2010-06-29

Result

Success

Notes

FLT-14: Conducted a successful endo-atmospheric intercept of unitary target at lowest altitude to date. Afterward, exercised Simulation-Over-Live-Driver (SOLD) system to inject multiple simulated targets into the THAAD radar to test system's ability to engage a mass raid of enemy ballistic missiles.

2011-10-05

Date

2011-10-05

Result

Success

Notes

FLT-12: Conducted a successful endo-atmospheric intercept of two targets with two interceptors.

2012-10-24

Date

2012-10-24

Result

Success

Notes

FTI-01 (Flight Test Integrated 01): test of the integration of THAAD with PAC-3 and Aegis against a raid of 5 missiles of different types. During this engagement THAAD successfully intercepted an Extended Long Range Air Launch Target (E-LRALT) missile dropped from a C-17 north of Wake Island. This marked the first time THAAD had intercepted a Mediu

2017-07-11

Date

2017-07-11

Result

Success

Notes

FTT-18 (Flight Test THAAD 18): The FTT-18 test plan was announced to the public on 8 July 2017. The first test of THAAD against an IRBM, FTT-18 successfully occurred on 11 July 2017; an Alaska-based THAAD interceptor, launched from the Pacific Spaceport Complex – Alaska on Kodiak island, intercepted its target over Alaska airspace. The FTT-18 targe

2017-07-30

Date

2017-07-30

Result

Success

Notes

FET-01 (Flight Experiment THAAD 01): In FET-01, the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) gathered threat data from a THAAD interceptor in flight. THAAD detected, tracked, and intercepted a medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM), which was launched from a C-17 by parachute. Soldiers from the 11th ADA Brigade conducted launcher, fire control, and radar operat

Date	Result	Notes
2005-11-22	Success	Launched a missile in its first Flight EMD Test, known as FLT-01. The test was deemed a success by Lockheed and the Pentagon.
2006-05-11	Success	FLT-02, the first developmental flight test to test the entire system, including interceptor, launcher, radar, and fire control system.
2006-07-12	Success	FLT-03. Intercepted a live target missile.
2006-09-13	Aborted	Hera target missile launched, but had to be terminated in mid-flight before the launch of the FLT-04 missile. This has officially been characterized as a "no test".
Fall 2006	Cancelled	FLT-05, a missile-only test, was postponed until mid-spring 2007.
2007-01-27	Success	FLT-06. Intercepted a "high endo-atmospheric" (just inside Earth's atmosphere) unitary (non-separating) target representing a "SCUD"-type ballistic missile launched from a mobile platform off Kauai in the Pacific Ocean.
2007-04-06	Success	FLT-07 test. Intercepted a "mid endo-atmospheric" unitary target missile off Kauai in the Pacific Ocean. It successfully tested THAAD's interoperability with other elements of the MDS system.
2007-10-27	Success	Conducted a successful exo-atmospheric test at the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) off Kauai, Hawaii. The flight test demonstrated the system's ability to detect, track and intercept an incoming unitary target above the Earth's atmosphere. The missile was hot-condition tested to prove its ability to operate in extreme environments.
2008-06-27	Success	Downed a missile launched from a C-17 Globemaster III.
2008-09-17	Aborted	Target missile failed shortly after launch, so neither interceptor was launched. Officially a "no test".
2009-03-17	Success	A repeat of the September flight test. This time it was a success.
2009-12-11	Aborted	FLT-11: The Hera target missile failed to ignite after air deployment, and the interceptor was not launched. Officially a "no test".
2010-06-29	Success	FLT-14: Conducted a successful endo-atmospheric intercept of unitary target at lowest altitude to date. Afterward, exercised Simulation-Over-Live-Driver (SOLD) system to inject multiple simulated targets into the THAAD radar to test system's ability to engage a mass raid of enemy ballistic missiles.
2011-10-05	Success	FLT-12: Conducted a successful endo-atmospheric intercept of two targets with two interceptors.
2012-10-24	Success	FTI-01 (Flight Test Integrated 01): test of the integration of THAAD with PAC-3 and Aegis against a raid of 5 missiles of different types. During this engagement THAAD successfully intercepted an Extended Long Range Air Launch Target (E-LRALT) missile dropped from a C-17 north of Wake Island. This marked the first time THAAD had intercepted a Mediu
2017-07-11	Success	FTT-18 (Flight Test THAAD 18): The FTT-18 test plan was announced to the public on 8 July 2017. The first test of THAAD against an IRBM, FTT-18 successfully occurred on 11 July 2017; an Alaska-based THAAD interceptor, launched from the Pacific Spaceport Complex – Alaska on Kodiak island, intercepted its target over Alaska airspace. The FTT-18 targe
2017-07-30	Success	FET-01 (Flight Experiment THAAD 01): In FET-01, the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) gathered threat data from a THAAD interceptor in flight. THAAD detected, tracked, and intercepted a medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM), which was launched from a C-17 by parachute. Soldiers from the 11th ADA Brigade conducted launcher, fire control, and radar operat