MDA awards THAAD contract
Lockheed Martin has been awarded a contract by the US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) for the production and delivery of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors for the US Army, it was announced on 4 January. The contract is valued at $528 million.
THAAD provides protection from short- to medium-range ballistic missile attacks as part of the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS).
THAAD interceptors use ‘hit-to-kill’ technology to destroy missile threats. The system is mobile, rapidly deployable and interoperable with all other BMDS elements, including Aegis, Patriot/PAC-3, forward-based sensors and the command, control, battle management and communications system.
Richard McDaniel, vice president for the THAAD system, Lockheed Martin, said: ‘Our THAAD interceptors are on the cutting edge of missile defence technology. With advanced range, agility and accuracy, our interceptors are fully capable of defeating dangerous missile threats today and into the future.
‘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
-
Europe’s eastern flank moves on air defence radars with wider efforts also underway
Air defence radars have become more important assets in the past year with incursions in NATO countries on Europe’s eastern flank highlighting the need.
-
Australia’s SM-2 land trial could reshape ADF medium-range air defence plans
The first ground launch of the SM-2 could offer Canberra a path to expand its missile defence capability by adapting systems already fielded across the ADF.
-
New teams form to compete for British Army Land Rover replacement
The UK’s Land Mobility Programme Light Mobility Vehicle requirement is designed to replace the British Army’s ageing fleet of Land Rovers with a vehicle with a Gross Vehicular Mass of less than 3,500kg. It could be for as many as 6,000 vehicles.