The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) System (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Revised Oct. 17, 2024 |
| Report Number |
IF12645 |
| Report Type |
In Focus |
| Authors |
Andrew Feickert |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
| Older Revisions |
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Summary:
According to the Department of Defense (DOD), the
Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system
(Figure 1) is a key element of U.S. ballistic missile defense
(BMD). THAAD employs interceptor missiles, using “hitto-kill” technology, to destroy threat missiles. Reportedly,
THAAD is capable of engaging targets at ranges of 150–
200 kilometers (km). THAAD covers the BMD middle tier
and defends a larger area than the Patriot Air and Missile
Defense System. It complements the Patriot, the Navy’s
AEGIS Missile Defense System, and the Ground-based
Midcourse Defense System.
A THAAD battery consists of 95 soldiers, six truck
mounted launchers, 48 interceptors (eight per launcher),
one Army/Navy Transportable Radar Surveillance and
Control Mode 2 (AN/TPY-2) radar, and a Tactical Fire
Control/Communications component. THAAD provides
Combatant Commanders a rapidly deployable capability
against short-range (up to 1,000 km), medium-range
(1,000–3,000 km), and limited intermediate-range (3,000–
5,000 km) ballistic missile threats inside or outside the
atmosphere during their final (terminal) phase of flight.
THAAD was developed by Lockheed Martin Corporation,
headquartered in Bethesda, MD, and is being manufactured
in Troy, AL. The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is
responsible for the development of THAAD. According to
the MDA,
MDA is responsible for the sustainment of the
THAAD missile defense unique and development
items, while the U.S. Army is responsible for the
operations and sustainment of the common items.
MDA funding provides sustainment for all fielded
THAAD batteries, ensures THAAD assets are
properly maintained and crews are trained to meet
Combatant Commanders’ needs.
The Army provides soldiers for THAAD units. As such, the
ability to field and operate THAAD batteries can be
affected by recruiting and retention shortages, as well as the
availability of qualified critical technical military
occupational specialties.
The Army currently has seven THAAD batteries. The first
THAAD battery (A Battery, 4th Air Defense Artillery
Regiment, 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade) was activated
in May 2008 at Fort Bliss, TX, and the seventh THAAD
battery was activated in December 2016. According to
2019’s Army Air and Missile Defense 2028, three THAAD
batteries are based at Fort Bliss, two batteries are based at
Fort Cavazos, TX, and one battery is based in South Korea
and one in Guam.
