THAAD Scores Another Hit | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-07.07.25

Airborne-NextGen-07.08.25

AirborneUnlimited-07.09.25

Airborne-AffordableFlyers-06.26.25

AirborneUnlimited-06.27.25

Tue, Jan 30, 2007

THAAD Scores Another Hit

US Sends Clear Message To Iran And North Korea

The US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and Lockheed Martin successfully intercepted a "high endo-atmospheric" (just inside earth’s atmosphere) unitary (non-separating) target representing a "SCUD"-type ballistic missile January 26 using the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) weapon system. This is the first system test conducted over the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) on Kauai, HI.

THAAD is designed specifically to defend against short to intermediate range ballistic missiles. The system comprises a number of components to identify, track and destroy inbound ballistic missile warheads. THAAD is a "hit-to-kill" system. It carries no explosives, using only kinetic energy from a direct impact to vaporize its target.

Lockheed and MDA say the flight test met all objectives, including demonstrating the integration of the radar, launcher, fire control and communications and interceptor operations; demonstrating radar and interceptor discrimination; and target acquisition and tracking by the interceptor's seeker.

"This successful test demonstrates THAAD's ability to take out hostile targets early and quickly," said Tom McGrath, Lockheed Martin's program manager and vice president for the THAAD program. "On the expansive range at PMRF, the THAAD missile can fly greater distances, increasing our testing options and creating a realistic tactical environment. We are happy to begin testing at PMRF with a success and look forward to many more exciting missions."

The THAAD program restarted flight testing in November 2005 at White Sands Missile Range, NM following a nearly seven-year hiatus. Between 1995 and 1998, the system's developers were unable to work out the bugs and Lockheed shelved the program.

Since then, the leaders of both North Korea and Iran have tested ballistic missile systems breathing new life into THAAD. Lockheed's team boasts three successful THAAD tests at White Sands -- one including a successful airborne intercept -- and the latest at PMRF.

The system has intercepted actual airborne targets in two out of three tests --  on one the simulated missile was destroyed shortly after liftoff by its controllers when it malfunctioned.

FMI: www.mda.gov, www.lockheedmartin.com

Advertisement

More News

KidVenture Educational Activities Lineup At EAA AirVenture 2025

Youth Explore With Hands-On Builds, RC Airplanes, Flight Sims, Much More KidVenture is located just north of the EAA Aviation Museum, at Pioneer Airport, and has arranged a myriad >[...]

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (07.07.25)

“About nine decades ago, Amelia Earhart was recruited to Purdue, and the university president later worked with her to prepare an aircraft for her historic flight around the >[...]

Airborne 07.07.25: Sully v Bedford, RAF Vandalism, Discovery Moving?

Also: New Amelia Search, B737 Flap Falls Off, SUN ‘n FUN Unveiling, F-16 Record Captain Sully Sullenberger, the pilot who saved 155 people by safely landing an A320 in the Hu>[...]

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (07.08.25)

"It is critically important for North American flight safety that Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) violations are avoided. All pilots must familiarize themselves with updates to >[...]

Airborne-NextGen 07.08.25: Joby in Dubai, Army Electra, Archer iin Abu Dhabi

Also: Hackers v Aviation, Discovery Moving?, Gogo Galileo HDX, EVE to Costa Rica Joby Aviation announced its electric air taxi successfully completed a series of VTOL wingborne tri>[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2025 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC