Lockheed Martin providing THAAD to US and Saudi Arabia
On 1 April the US DoD announced a modification to a contract with Lockheed Martin for the production of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors, bringing the value of the contract to $3.8 billion, of which $1.5 billion covers foreign military sales to Saudi Arabia.
THAAD is an anti-ballistic missile defence system designed to shoot down short to intermediate range ballistic missiles in descent or re-entry at a range of 200km. It carries no warhead, destroying incoming missiles via the kinetic energy of impact, so as to minimise the risk of detonating conventional-warhead ballistic missiles. A kinetic impact also carries no chance of detonating a nuclear-tipped ballistic missile.
First proposed in 1987, the first THAAD interceptors were deployed in 2008.
Lockheed is currently pushing for funding to develop an extended-range version of the THAAD to counter hypersonic glide vehicles, such as the Chinese WU-14, which are being developed to exploit the gap between high and low altitude missile defences.
Currently, the THAAD-ER is an industry concept only, though the company remains optimistic that the Missile Defense Agency will provide funding soon to match the weapons development of potential adversaries.
However, the Pentagon has been researching technologies such as directed energy weapons and railguns as to whether they would be better solutions to missile defence, even if they are not expected to be available before the mid-2020s.
You may also like
More from Land Warfare
-
![India’s high-altitude logistics drone push drives demand as BonV Aero launches Air Orca]()
India’s high-altitude logistics drone push drives demand as BonV Aero launches Air Orca
The Indian Army's major drone procurement programme has drawn attention from BonV Aero which has launched its heavy-lift platform for extreme terrain missions.
-
![SpearUAV to deliver 1,000 loitering munitions to extend armoured vehicle capability]()
SpearUAV to deliver 1,000 loitering munitions to extend armoured vehicle capability
The company's Multi Canister Launcher can deploy its Viper system from multiple military platforms, boosting operational flexibility.
-
![April land forces roundup: Munitions and long-range fires drive procurement momentum]()
April land forces roundup: Munitions and long-range fires drive procurement momentum
The demand for long-range fires continues alongside the drive to increase artillery shell manufacture and the procurement of new artillery weapons.
-
![Laser weapon solutions are emerging as Europe confronts air defence cost imbalance]()
Laser weapon solutions are emerging as Europe confronts air defence cost imbalance
Europe’s air defence debate is increasingly shaped by the blunt economics of the field. While high-value interceptor missiles can effectively shoot down cheap drones, doing so at scale presents cost challenges.
-
![Is the RCH 155 self-propelled wheeled howitzer for the British Army finally on the way?]()
Is the RCH 155 self-propelled wheeled howitzer for the British Army finally on the way?
The Remote-Controlled Howitzer 155mm self-propelled gun is making strong progress, with contracts being placed and production capacity being boosted for the base Boxer vehicle.
-
![ARX Robotics expands in UK following British Army backing for uncrewed platforms]()
ARX Robotics expands in UK following British Army backing for uncrewed platforms
Following an order from the British Army, ARX Robotics has begun manufacturing autonomous ground platforms in the UK. Christopher Foss examines the company's growing range of systems.
