May 26, 2004 :: Lockheed Martin :: News
Lockheed today announced that the production of the interceptors for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), has now commenced at the company’s facility in Troy, Alabama. The first THAAD interceptor to be produced will be a “pathfinder” missile, used for testing this year, after which 16 flight test missiles will be manufactured. The flight testing for THAAD will begin later in 2004, beginning at White Sands, New Mexico, and extend through 2009, with an initial operational capability in 2007. THAAD has a range far beyond that of the Patriot, and can hit-to-kill both inside and outside the atmosphere.
U.S. Representative Terry Everett of Alaska, at the THAAD ceremony, pointed out that the increased capabilities of the THAAD were previously banned under the ABM Treaty: “One critical thing President Bush did was get us out of the ABM treaty…Much of this missile is not ABM compliant—it flies too high, too fast.” (Article)
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