Lockheed receives THAAD contract modification
Lockheed Martin has been awarded $459 million contract modification from the Missile Defense Agency for production and delivery of interceptors for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) weapon system, the company announced on 26 January.
The modification increases the total value of the THAAD contract to $1.28 billion.
The new interceptors will support US Army THAAD units and emerging operational requirements.
THAAD is a part of the Ballistic Missile Defence System (BMDS), helping protect the US military, allied forces, citizen population centres and critical infrastructure against short- to medium-range ballistic missile attacks.
The system uses ‘hit-to-kill’ technology to counter missile threats. The quickly deployable system is mobile, and is interoperable with all other BMDS elements, including Patriot/PAC-3, Aegis, forward-based sensors and the command, control, battle management and communications system.
Richard McDaniel, vice president for the THAAD system, Lockheed Martin, said: ‘The THAAD system's capability and reliability have been demonstrated with 15 out of 15 hit-to-kill intercepts dating back to 1999, and by exceeding readiness rates currently being experienced in the field with operationally deployed batteries.
‘THAAD interceptors defeat dangerous missile threats our troops and allies are facing today, and have capability against advancing future threats. Our focus on affordability, coupled with efficiencies of increased volume, is providing significant cost-savings opportunities to meet growing demand from the US and allies around the globe.’
More from Land Warfare
-
![Germany signs multi-billion-dollar deals for 6x6 CAVS and GDELS Eagle vehicles]()
Germany signs multi-billion-dollar deals for 6x6 CAVS and GDELS Eagle vehicles
The order is a further boost for the Common Armoured Vehicles System programme which has notched notable successes in the past 12 months. The first vehicle, made in Finland, will be delivered next year with local production expected to ramp up in 2027.
-
![Rheinmetall and KNDS tank tie-up narrows trans-European options]()
Rheinmetall and KNDS tank tie-up narrows trans-European options
The French and German governments signed an agreement in June 2018 to cooperate on the development of a new main battle tank under the Main Ground Combat System programme but the effort has struggled. This new agreement may damage it further.
-
![Hungary set to begin using Hero 400 loitering munitions]()
Hungary set to begin using Hero 400 loitering munitions
Developed by Israel's Uvision and with systems being sold in the thousands to multiple European NATO countries and the US, the Hero family of loitering systems is also in production in the US and Italy, the latter through Rheinmetall.
-
![Light Reconnaissance Strike – enabling a vital mission set (Studio)]()
Light Reconnaissance Strike – enabling a vital mission set (Studio)
A new system-of-systems concept will unlock digital integration of sensors and weapons for Light Forces, allowing them to shape the battlefield environment on their own terms and upgrade legacy platforms.
