The US Army's Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) is an American-made anti-ballistic missile defense system that underscores the United States' role as the partner of choice around the world.

Designed to defeat short-, medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles in their terminal flight phase, THAAD has played a key role in protecting the United States and its allies since it first entered service in 2008.

International users of THAAD include the United Arab Emirates, Romania, Israel and South Korea.

The system sits in the middle tier of the United States' multilayered defense system: it offers a larger area of defense than does the Patriot missile defense system and supports the exoatmospheric functions of Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense and Ground Based Midcourse Defense System (GMD).

The THAAD system consists of interceptors, launchers, the AN/TPY-2 ground-based X-band radar, a fire control system and support equipment.

48 missiles per battery

Each THAAD battery includes six truck-mounted launchers with eight interceptor missiles per launcher.

Made up of a single-stage booster and a kinetic kill vehicle that employs hit-to-kill technology to destroy targets, THAAD interceptors can reach speeds of Mach 8 to intercept incoming missiles both within and beyond the atmosphere at an estimated range of 150–200km.

The THAAD launchers are based on Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks, making them both movable and secure when parked, and boast a quick reload time of 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, the X-band AN-TPY-2 radar can track objects from ranges of over 3,000km, fully capable of identifying, tracking and destroying intercontinental ballistic missiles launched from afar.

The radar system has two operational modes: a Forward Based Mode (FBM) and Terminal Mode (TM).

In its FBM, the radar is placed near potential launch areas, where its short wavelength and antenna design allow it to image targets at high resolution, creating accurate depictions of risks and enhancing early warning capabilities.

In recent years, the Army has integrated THAAD into the Link 16 network, a tactical military data network employed by the United States, NATO and other allies to communicate relevant air and missile threat data to defense systems.

It provides a secure, jam-resistant, high-speed digital data link that operates at radio and microwave frequencies.

THAAD batteries can exchange tracking data and accept cues for target acquisition from the Aegis, GMD and Patriot missile defense systems as well as from satellites.