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
-
![Canada accelerates uncrewed aerial system procurement for NATO and Arctic forces]()
Canada accelerates uncrewed aerial system procurement for NATO and Arctic forces
Canada plans to acquire at least 120 uncrewed aerial systems through two competitions with combined funding ceilings of C$32 million.
-
![October land forces roundup: AUSA dominates as list narrows for new British Army vehicle]()
October land forces roundup: AUSA dominates as list narrows for new British Army vehicle
New counter-drone technologies, autonomous launchers and manufacturing modernisation initiatives highlighted emerging opportunities for defence suppliers, while the UK advanced a major military vehicle procurement programme.
-
![Coming to America: companies look to tap into US with multi-domestic strategy]()
Coming to America: companies look to tap into US with multi-domestic strategy
Non-US companies are increasingly looking to establish subsidiary and partnerships to access the potential billions of dollars of vehicle and land systems contracts and there has already been some success.
-
![Front-line support: how UK industry is helping tackle Ukraine’s landmine challenges]()
Front-line support: how UK industry is helping tackle Ukraine’s landmine challenges
Pearson Engineering has provided equipment and engineering expertise to the Armed Forces of Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022. The British company is now working to deepen engagement with the Ukrainian defence industry, expanding its support for the country’s population and laying the foundations for future technological innovation.
-
![AUSA 2026: companies adapt munitions and missiles for greater effect at lower costs]()
AUSA 2026: companies adapt munitions and missiles for greater effect at lower costs
Rather than developing entirely new weapons, defence companies are looking to build on existing weapons and systems to deliver greater capability, control costs and accelerate fielding.
-
![AUSA 2026: industry looks to make commercial platforms a military reality]()
AUSA 2026: industry looks to make commercial platforms a military reality
With a production rate of more than 10 million vehicles annually, the US commercial car and vehicle manufacturing base is second only to China. Defence companies are looking at how the vehicles, technology and manufacturing capability can support programmes.
