New Delhi: On December 27, a ballistic missile was launched from Yemen at Israel and the latter intercepted it using the American Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defence system. According to reports, the Houthi rebels, a group backed by Iran, fired the missile at Israel. As per a report by the Times of Israel, the THAAD system was activated to intercept the missile for the first time.
Notably, the US deployed the THAAD system in Israel in October this year. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have confirmed the missile’s interception but did not specify whether the system used was Israeli or American. However, the Times of Israel report stated that THAAD successfully engaged the missile. Interestingly, the deployment of THAAD in Israel took place after Iran launched a ballistic missile attack on the country on October 1.
מערכת ה- THAAD האמריקנית לקחה חלק ביירוט הטיל הבליסטי ששוגר אמש מתימן. אפשר לשמוע את אחד החיילים האמריקניים מתרגש “18 שנים חיכיתי לזה” pic.twitter.com/s4VoMfMhaF
— איתי בלומנטל 🇮🇱 Itay Blumental (@ItayBlumental) December 27, 2024
What is THAAD?
As has been mentioned, the full form of THAAD is Terminal High Altitude Area Defense. It was previously known as Theater High Altitude Area Defense. It is an anti-ballistic missile defense system of the US which can intercept and destroy short, medium and intermediate range ballistic missile while they are in the terminal phase. There is no warhead in the THAAD interceptor, and it relies on its kinetic energy of impact to shatter the incoming missile. In 1991, during the Gulf War, the experience of Iraq’s Scud missile attacks led to the development of THAAD.
How does the THAAD work?
THAAD missile shatters missiles by colliding with them. It uses the hit-to-kill technology which is also known as the Kinetic Kill technology. According to reports, the estimated range of THAAD missiles is 200 km and its potential maximum altitude is 150 km. A standard THAAD battery contains six truck-mounted launchers and each of them can hold a maximum of eight interceptors, along with a fire control system and a radar.
The radar of the THAAD system can detect threats from a range of 870 to 3,000 kilometres. Notably, THAAD is the lone US system which can intercept targets outside and inside the atmosphere. In March 2022, the THAAD system successfully showed integration with the PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE).
Who manufactures the THAAD?
A Lockheed Martin facility near Alabama’s Troy manufactures the THAAD missile. In the facility, the THAAD missile’s final integration, assembly and testing take place. The Raytheon Company develops and builds the THAAD Radar, an X-Band active electronically scanned array Radar at its Massachusetts Integrated Air Defense Facility.
Where is the THAAD deployed?
The THAAD was first deployed in May 2008 and today, it has been deployed in Israel, United Arab Emirates, South Korea and Romania. On January 17, 2022, in the UAE, THAAD made its first operational interception when it stopped an incoming hostile medium-range ballistic missile.
On December 27, a ballistic missile launched from Yemen towards Israel was intercepted by the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system. This marked the first reported use of THAAD in Israel, deployed there after an earlier Iranian missile attack. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
