Missile Thaad

The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system was proposed in 1987, with development formalizing in 1991 following the use of Scud missile attacks during the Gulf War. The program utilized data from previous research efforts including the High Endoatmospheric Defense Interceptor and the Kinetic Kill Vehicle Integrated Technology Experiment. Initial flight testing commenced in April 1995 at White Sands Missile Range. After a series of unsuccessful intercept attempts between 1995 and 1999, the first successful intercepts were recorded in June and August 1999 against Hera targets. The system transitioned to mobile tactical unit development in 2000 and entered service in 2008.

THAAD is a mobile anti-ballistic missile system designed to intercept and destroy short-, medium-, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles during their terminal phase of flight. The interceptor utilizes kinetic energy to destroy targets via direct impact and carries no explosive or nuclear warhead. Guidance is provided by an indium-antimonide imaging infrared seeker head. A standard battery configuration consists of launcher vehicles, mobile tactical operations centers, and the AN/TPY-2 ground-based X-band active electronically scanned array radar. The system is designed for interoperability with Aegis and Patriot missile defense systems.

The system is operated by the United States Army and the United Arab Emirates, with Saudi Arabia activating its first units in 2025. Qatar has also entered into agreements for the acquisition of the system. Batteries and radar components have been deployed to locations including South Korea, Israel, Romania, Turkey, Guam, and Wake Island.

The first operational combat interception occurred on 17 January 2022, when a battery in the United Arab Emirates destroyed an incoming hostile medium-range ballistic missile. In December 2024, a battery deployed to Israel intercepted a ballistic missile launched from Yemen. During Iranian missile barrages against Israel in July 2025, United States forces expended a portion of the total funded interceptor inventory. Combat records also include failed interceptions; in May 2025, the system failed to intercept missiles launched from Yemen targeting Israel on two separate occasions, including an engagement involving a hypersonic missile threat.