https://crsreports.congress.gov
Updated July 18, 2024
The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) System
Background
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 “hit-
to-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. Lockheed Martin is
manufacturing THAAD 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, 4
th
Air Defense Artillery
Regiment, 11
th
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.
Figure 1.THAAD Fire Unit
Source: U.S. Indo-Pacific Command News, https://www.pacom.mil/
Media/News/Article/707735/missile-system-would-greatly-increase-
defense-capability-in-south-korea/, accessed April 16, 2024.
Brief History of the THADD Program
According to the Center for Strategic and International
Studies (CSIS) Missile Defense Project, the Army began
developing THAAD in 1992. In December 1995, the Army
attempted its first THAAD intercept test, which was
unsuccessful. Five successive test flights—taking place
from 1996 to 1999—also failed. The Army redesigned
THAAD and relaxed requirements for intercepting targets
at lower altitudes. Between 2006 and 2019, the Army and
the MDA conducted 18 THAAD intercept tests. Fourteen of
the tests were successful, and four were cancelled prior to
launch due to target malfunctions.
Current THAAD Program Activities
The FY2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)
(P.L. 116-283) authorized and funded the procurement of
an eighth THAAD battery. On April 21, 2022, Lockheed
Martin received a contract totaling $74 million to produce
this THAAD battery for the MDA, expected to be fielded
by 2025. According to the MDA, as of January 2024, this
THAAD battery was still in production. As of October 1,
2023, the MDA had delivered 799 operational THAAD
interceptors to the U.S. Army and Foreign Military Sales
(FMS) customers.
THAAD Overseas Deployments
THAAD has been deployed on a number of occasions in
response to potential ballistic missile threats. According to
an April 2013 Federal Register notice
The U.S. Secretary of Defense directed the Army to
deploy a THAAD battery immediately to Guam on
an emergency basis in response to potential North
Korean missile launch activity. Since the temporary
deployment of the THAAD battery in 2013, DOD
validated the enduring requirement for a THAAD
battery in Guam to ensure continued defense of the
