Lockheed Martin delivers 8th U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense battery

Lockheed Martin delivered the Minimum Engagement Package (MEP) of the eighth Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery to the U.S. government. The MEP consists of three launchers and a fire control unit that will be paired with Raytheon’s AN/TPY-2 radar. The remaining equipment is scheduled to be delivered later this summer. This significant milestone greatly enhances the U.S. Army’s ability to defend valuable assets across the homeland and the globe against ballistic missile threats.

“THAAD is a combat-proven, game-changing asset for America and its allies that’s being used in-theater to great effect right now,” says Dawn Golightly, vice president, Upper Tier Integrated Air and Missile Defense, Lockheed Martin. “This eighth battery will significantly enhance the U.S. Army’s ability to respond to the growing and evolving ballistic missile threats seen recently, ensuring the security of our country and its allies.”

Lockheed Martin has been the prime contractor for the THAAD system since 1987 and has played a critical role in the continued development, production, and integration of this advanced missile defense capability. The first U.S. THAAD battery, A-4, was delivered to and activated by the U.S. Army in May 2008. The Missile Defense Agency awarded a contract to produce the eighth U.S. THAAD battery in 2022.  An additional THAAD battery will increase the U.S. military's flexibility and responsiveness to emerging threats across the globe, protect critical infrastructure, population centers, and military assets, and contribute to the overall effectiveness of the U.S. missile defense architecture.

THAAD is a combat-proven, highly advanced hit-to-kill missile defense system designed to intercept and destroy incoming ballistic missiles inside and outside of the earth’s atmosphere. With its unparalleled accuracy and speed, and 100 percent flight test intercept rate, THAAD provides a critical layer of protection against short-, medium-, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles. THAAD’s flight test success rate and combat proven status, together with it’s ready-now capability, continue to drive interest from across the globe and the air defense community.