Independent Working Group Report: Missile Defense, the Space Relationship, and the Twenty-First Century. »»
May 23, 2012
IWG Report 2009
Independent Working Group Report: Missile Defense, the Space Relationship, and the Twenty-First Century. »»
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Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)
| Country: | USA |
|---|---|
| Warhead: | impact weapon |
| Range: | 250 km |
| Basing: | Land |
| In Service: | Exp. 2008 |
Details
The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system is a mobile, land-based weapons program designed to destroy short- and medium-range ballistic missiles in their terminal phases, just seconds before they explode over U.S. cities and military assets. One of the last lines of defense against weapons of mass destruction, THAAD will play a critical role in the Missile Defense Agency’s Ballistic Missile Defense System.
Upon completion, THAAD will be able to intercept incoming missiles both inside and just outside of the Earth’s atmosphere at a range of 200 kilometers. At such an altitude, it will be difficult for enemy missiles to launch decoys and countermeasures to fool the THAAD interceptor. In addition, THAAD will ensure the safe diffusion of any nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons, thus minimizing the risk of missile debris raining down on civilian or military populations.
The THAAD project, originally known as the Theater High Altitude Area Defense system, began in 1992 when the Missile Defense Agency awarded a $689 million development contract to Lockheed Martin and subcontractors Raytheon, Datatape, and EBCO. Initial successes were encouraging. In the late 1990s, however, THAAD missed six out of eight of its attempted intercepts, and many dismissed the project as an expensive failure. MDA decided to backtrack. Between 2000 and 2003, THAAD engineers reworked the entire system and fixed many of its inherent problems and redundancies.
THAAD is now ready to emerge from hiatus. Its engineers are preparing a series of high-profile tests to prove that the new system can successfully intercept short- and medium-range ballistic missiles. In March 2004, the “T” in THAAD was changed from “theater” to “terminal,” to better describe the system’s primary function: the destruction of ballistic missiles in their final descent phase. This new THAAD will consist of four principal components: an X-band radar; a Command & Control and Battle Management Communications (C2BMC) unit; mobile launchers; and the THAAD interceptor missiles themselves.
In a typical combat scenario, THAAD’s X-band, phased array, solid-state radar will scan the horizon for hostile missiles. It will be capable of detecting threats at a range of 1,000 kilometers. Once an incoming missile has been detected, the X-band radar will relay this information to the C2BMC unit, a mobile command center installed on Humvees that manages and integrates all THAAD components. C2BMC units are capable of linking THAAD with other missile defense layers to strengthen the overall Ballistic Missile Defense System. C2BMC is also responsible for determining friend from foe.
A typical THAAD battery will include nine M1075 truck-mounted launchers to transport and fire the interceptors. Each launcher is 12 meters long, 3.25 meters wide, and carries 10 missiles. The Army will be able to transport the launchers by C-130 aircraft for rapid deployment. After firing, the launcher will take approximately 30 minutes to reload. The interceptor missile itself is 6.17 meters long, 0.34 meters in diameter, and weighs 900 kilograms. It is powered by a single stage solid fuel rocket motor with thrust vectoring. Although the interceptor is not designed to track long-range ballistic missiles, MDA has not yet ruled out the possibility of upgrading the system to accommodate greater range and velocity.
Following the launch, the interceptor will receive targeting information from the ground-based X-band radar. After its burnout stage, the interceptor’s kill vehicle (KV) will separate from the booster. The KV is equipped with a liquid Divert and Attitude Control System (DAVS) which will maneuver the KV toward the target interception point. An infrared seeker in the KV’s nose will home in on the target. At the point of impact, the KV will collide with the incoming missile (like a bullet hitting a bullet), causing complete destruction of the warhead including any nuclear, chemical, or biological agents.
THAAD is currently moving forward in two-year development “blocks.” Its current phase, Block 2004, will culminate in three flight tests and two intercept attempts. The flight tests will assess the performance of the interceptor both inside and outside the Earth’s atmosphere. The intercept attempts, scheduled for 2005 and 2006, will take place at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico and the Pacific Missile Range in Hawaii, and will determine whether or not the new THAAD system is ready for deployment. In the Block 2006 period, MDA will conduct five more intercept attempts, one of which will include a “salvo shot” of two simultaneously-fired THAAD missiles. Block 2008 will involve another six tests of increased difficulty.
The Army intends to build between 80 to 99 launchers, 18 ground based radars, and 1,422 interceptor missiles. Initial deployment is scheduled for 2008.
Sources
Army Technology.
The Boeing Company.
Breen, Tom. “Missile Defense Agency; Countdown To Historic Deployment.” Armed Forces Journal, 1 April 2004.
Federation of American Scientists.
Feiler, Jeremy. “Officials: Recent Setback To Have Little Impact On THAAD Schedule.” Inside the Pentagon, 20 November 2003.
GlobalSecurity.org.
Hsu, Emily. “Missile Defense Agency Renames THAAD Missile Defense System.” Inside Missile Defense, 3 March 2004.
Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company.
Missile Defense Agency.
Raytheon Company.
Selinger, Marc. “MDA Studying Terminal-phase System For Long-range Missiles.” Aerospace Daily, 20 November 2003.
Selinger, Marc. “Raytheon Finishes First Production Radar For THAAD.” Aerospace Daily, 15 March 2004.
Wall, Robert. “THAAD Revival; Lessons From Previous Test Series Drive Emphasis On Reliability.” Aviation Week & Space Technology, 1 September 2003.
Weinberger, Sharon. “THAAD Passes Critical Design Review, Moves To Flight Testing.” Defense Daily, 23 December 2003.
Kratos Successfully Test Fires New Oriole Rocket System Variant With Significantly Enhanced Capabilities
New Guided Oriole Rocket System Will Open Multiple New BMD and Other National Security Related Markets to Kratos
» Missile system details for: Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)
U.S. missile defense counters growing threat
4/19/2012 - WASHINGTON (AFPS) -- Six days after North Korea's failed long-range rocket launch, the head of the Defense Department's Missile Defense Agency testified on Capitol Hill about bolstering U.S. defenses against a growing ballistic missile threat.
» More stories on: Ballistic Missile Defense (US), North Korea, Budget
» Missile system details for: Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI), Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD), Sea-Based X-Band Radar (SBX), Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), Aegis Ship-Based BMD
Israel Tests Iron Dome
Over the past two days, the Israeli military has conducted the final tests of its Iron Dome missile defense system. Iron Dome is a component part of Israel's growing multi-layered missile defense architecture, and is tasked with stopping the short-range rockets (among others, Grads, Katyushas, and Qassams) fired by Hamas from the Gaza strip and by Hezbollah into northern Israel.
This testing comes on the heels of the massive Juniper Cobra joint war games exercise conducted by the U.S. and Israel in late October and November of 2009. That exercise was meant to test and improve the connectivity and interoperability of U.S. and Israeli armed forces in the event of a missile attack. Although it was said to have been in the works for some time, the political and strategic timing of the exercise considering Iran's recent saber-rattling couldn't have been better. The sea-based U.S. Aegis system that is now tasked with protecting Eastern Europe was used in that exercise, along with the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), and the forward-based X-band radar that was deployed in Israel in 2008.
Between Iron Dome, David's Sling (another joint project of the U.S. and Israel tasked with the interception of cruise missiles), the Arrow-2 system that has been deployed for some time, and a longer-range Arrow-3 system, Israel is quickly becoming one of a few world-leaders in missile defense technology and deployment.
In related news, on December 21, 2009 the White House announced the signing of the latest defense appropriation bill in which $202 million is provided to help fund Israeli missile defenses.
» President Obama and Congress fund Israeli missile defense
» Longer Range Rockets Threaten Israel from Gaza
» Israel Conducts Successful Short Range Missile Intercept
» Israeli Missile Defense Test Success
» Missile system details for: Arrow, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), Sea-Based X-Band Radar (SBX), Forward-Based X-Band Radar-Transportable, Aegis Ship-Based BMD
Aegis BMD Version 4.0.1
The Missile Defense Agency has conducted a number of tests this year of its new missile defense software deployed aboard the USS Lake Erie, the Aegis BMD 4.0.1. These four tests involved the tracking and simulated engagement of short-range separating ballistic missiles launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai.
The simulations included a demonstration of "Aegis BMD's ability to perform two-way acquisition and tracking data exchange with Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system." This test will provide useful data to use in implementing the Obama administration's missile defense policy shift in Europe from a ground-based interceptor system to one that will utilize the Navy's Aegis system and THAAD.
The USS Lake Erie is scheduled to engage a live target with its SM-3 Block IB interceptors in 2011.
» Missile system details for: Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), Aegis Ship-Based BMD
New Terminal High Altitude Defense Battery
On Friday, the Army brought its second THAAD battery online at Fort Bliss in Texas. Developed by the Missile Defense Agency as one layer of the integrated Ballistic Missile Defense System of the U.S., THAAD has had a flawless test success rate in the latest round of increasingly realistic testing. The Missile Defense Agency has listed the new components at Fort Bliss as "THAAD interceptors, launchers, a fire control and communications unit and radar."
The first THAAD unit to go online (in May of 2008, and also at Fort Bliss) was tasked with strategic deployment around the globe "in support of geographic combatant commander's priorities."
» MDA Speeds Up THAAD Deployment
» THAAD Being Upgraded; Useful for Coastal Defense
» First THAAD Unit Activated by U.S. Army
» Plans to Transition THAAD Program From MDA to The Army In The Works
» Missile system details for: Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)
Japanese Missile Defense
One consequence of North Korea's increasing belligerence over the past decade has been the sustained and accelerated development of Japan's air defense resources, including a missile defense system.
Japan has recently decided to upgrade its missile detection capabilities as part of a broader upgrade of all of its air defenses. This follows the announcement in early June of plans to integrate a missile-launch satellite early warning system into their defense systems. Japan made the decision to develop an anti-ballistic missile defense system in 2003.
The satellite detection upgrade is part of the transition from the old Base Air Defense Ground Environment to the new Japan Aerospace Defense Ground Environment (JADGE), and is a response to calls for an improvement to what was considered to be an increasingly outdated defensive surveillance satellite capability.
According to government officials, JADGE will be a centralized and much more automated detection and defense system, headquartered in Yokota, Japan—also the site of a U.S. Air Force base housing the 374th Airlift Wing, a support center for all of the Defense Department's Pacific operations.
Furthermore, following the North Korean missile launches over 4th of July weekend, it was reported—with a Japanese government-authorized leak as the suspected source—that the Japanese are considering purchasing and deploying THAAD as an upgrade to their missile defense capabilities.
» Japan Upgrades Missile-Detection System
» Japan May Purchase THAAD missiles
» Japan to Develop Satellite Early Warning System
» Missile system details for: Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), Japanese Ballistic Missile Defense
Gates Deploys THAAD and X-Band Radar to Hawaii
U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has sent the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system to Hawaii to guard against the possibility of a North Korean missile launch. Japan's Yomiuri newspaper, citing a Japanese Defense Ministry report, claims that North Korea may be planning to launch Taepodong 2 towards Hawaii over the weekend of July 4th.
Secretary Gates has also deployed the sea-based X-band radar system to the region in order to monitor any launch activity. "We are in a good position, should it become necessary, to protect Americans and American territory," he said.
» AP Reports on Japanese Suspicion of NK Missile Launch Towards Hawaii
» Missile details: Taep'o Dong 2
» Missile system details for: Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)
Final Report on America's Strategic Posture
The Commission on the Strategic Posture of the United States has released its final report to Congress. It offers some encouraging news and recommendations about the continued development and viability of missile defense in theater, but also leaves much to be desired in its discussion of missile defense deployments, the possibility of an EMP attack, and the desirability of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. The "on the one hand, on the other hand" style of the report seems to reflect a division of opinion over the proper approaches to strategic policy.
The chapter on missile defense opens by noting that "Missile defenses are an integral part of the strategic posture of the United States after the Cold War." Iran and North Korea are identified as the two "missile threats of most immediate concern." The commission mentions both the deterrent effect of a missile defense system and its potential for shielding and reassuring allies.
These capabilities may contribute to deterrence by raising doubts in a potential aggressor's mind about the prospects of success in attempts to coerce or attack others. They may contribute to assurance of allies, by increasing their protection and also reducing the risks that the United States would face in protecting them against a regional aggressor.
The commission "strongly supports continued missile defense cooperation with allies" Such as Israel and Japan. This cooperation involves missile defense systems designedto combat short- and medium-range missiles, such as THAAD, PAC 3, and the sea-based Aegis system. Citing current plans to deploy 96 THAAD and 133 sea-based SM-3 interceptors, the commission states that "these numbers should be reviewed if the threat from North Korean or Iranian missiles increases." The gradual expansion of Iranian, Chinese, and North Korean missiles would indeed seem to warrant such a review. Yet these systems may also need to be supplemented by others to form a global and layered defense.
The Commission expresses less confidence in the Ground-Based Interceptors (GBIs) currently deployed in California and Alaska, with ten additional interceptors slated for deployment at a third site in Poland.
This system has demonstrated some capability against unsophisticated threats and should undergo additional system testing to determine its effectiveness against more complex threats that include technologies intended to help in-coming missiles penetrate the defense (so-called penetration aids). Further development and deployment...should depend on results of these tests and on developments in the ICBM threats facing the United States and its allies.
No single system is capable of defending against all threats of course. Yet the Commission misses an opportunity to explore the significant advantages offered by a multi-layered missile defense system.
The Commission recommends that missile defense policy should balance the need for national defense with the "legitimate concerns of Russia and China about strategic stability." In other words, a vigorous pursuit of defensive capabilities might lead Russia or China to "take actions that increase the threat to the United States and its allies and friends," such as enhancing their own arsenals or proliferating missile technologies to others.
The commission ends its report with a discussion of EMP:
Lastly, the United States should take steps to reduce the vulnerability of the nation and the military to attacks with weapons designed to produce electromagnetic pulse (EMP) effects. We make this recommendation although the Commission is divided over how imminent a threat this is. Some commissioners believe it to be a high priority threat, given foreign activities and terrorist intentions. Others see it as a serious potential threat, given the high level of vulnerability.
A recommendation for the hardening of America's electrical grid follows. The report leaves unmentioned the potential a multi-layered missile defense system might have in meeting the threat of EMP.
» Strategic Posture Report 2009
» More stories on: Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Weapons
» Missile system details for: Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI), Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD), Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3), Aegis Ship-Based BMD, Kinetic Energy Interceptor (KEI), Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)
Successful THAAD Intercept
The Missile Defense Agency reports that a test of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system successfully intercepted a target missile in Hawaii. Soldiers from the 6th Air Defense Artillery Brigade out of Fort Bliss, Texas operated the THAAD system for the intercept test. The THAAD system successfully destroyed the ballistic missile target off the island of Kauai. Early reports indicate that the test met all the planned objectives.
» More stories on: Testing - American
» Missile system details for: Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)
UAE to Purchase THAAD
GulfNews reports this week that the United States intends on selling three new THAAD, Theatre High Altitude Area Defense, systems to the United Arab Emirates. THAAD is a U.S. ballistic missile ground based defense system that is currently undergoing field testing. It has been deployed in very limited numbers to U.S. troops, but is already in demand.
The deal is also costly, according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency quoting the price near $7 billion. The exchange includes PAC-3 Patriot Missiles and Blackhawk Helicopters in addition to other smaller missiles. The demand points to Emirate concern over the Iranian threat.
» Missile system details for: Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI), Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3), Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)
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