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Terminal High Altitude Area Defense

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Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)
A Terminal High Altitude Area Defense interceptor being fired during an exercise in 2013
A Terminal High Altitude Area Defense interceptor being fired during an exercise in 2013
TypeAnti-ballistic missile system
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service2008–present
Used byUnited States Army
Production history
Designed1987
ManufacturerLockheed Martin
Produced2008–present
No. builtnumerous
Specifications
Mass900 kg[1]
Length6.17 m[1]
Diameter34 cm[1]
Operational
range
>200 km[1]
Maximum speed Mach 8.24 or 2.8 km/s[1]
Guidance
system
Indium antimonide Imaging Infra-Red Seeker Head

Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), formerly Theater High Altitude Area Defense, is a United States Army anti-ballistic missile system which is designed to shoot down short, medium, and intermediate range ballistic missiles in their terminal phase using a hit-to-kill approach.[2] THAAD was developed to counter Iraq's Scud missile attacks during the Gulf War in 1991.[3] The missile carries no warhead, but relies on the kinetic energy of impact to destroy the incoming missile. A kinetic energy hit minimizes the risk of exploding conventional warhead ballistic missiles, and nuclear tipped ballistic missiles will not detonate upon a kinetic energy hit.[N 1]

Originally a US Army program, THAAD has come under the umbrella of the Missile Defense Agency. The Navy has a similar program, the sea-based Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System, which now has a land component as well ("Aegis ashore"). THAAD was originally scheduled for deployment in 2012, but initial deployment took place in May 2008.[4][5] THAAD has been deployed in the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and South Korea.

Additionally, due to the impending threat of a fullscale military invasion by the communist superpower of the People's Republic of China (PRC) on the democratic industrialized developed island country of the Republic of China (Taiwan), the President of Taiwan is currently undergoing negotiations with the United States of America to purchase the THAAD missile defense system to protect Taiwan from the threat of over 2,000 communist Chinese short range nuclear missiles[6][7] that are currently aimed at Taiwan.[8][9][10]

The THAAD system is being designed, built, and integrated by Lockheed Martin Space Systems acting as prime contractor. Key subcontractors include Raytheon, Boeing, Aerojet, Rocketdyne, Honeywell, BAE Systems, Oshkosh Defense, MiltonCAT and the Oliver Capital Consortium.[11]

Development

THAAD missile diagram

The THAAD missile defense concept was proposed in 1987, with a formal request for proposals submitted to industry in 1991. In September 1992, the US Army selected Martin Marietta (now Lockheed Martin) as prime contractor for THAAD development. Prior to development of a physical prototype, the Aero-Optical Effect (AOE) software code was developed to validate the intended operational profile of Lockheed's proposed design. The first THAAD flight test occurred in April 1995, with all flight tests in the Demonstration-Validation (DEM-VAL) program phase occurring at White Sands Missile Range. The first six intercept attempts missed the target (Flights 4–9). The first successful intercepts were conducted on 10 June 1999, and 2 August 1999, against Hera missiles.

Demonstration and validation

Date Result Notes
21 April 1995 Success First test flight to prove the propulsion system. There was no target in the test.
31 July 1995 Aborted Kill vehicle control test. The test flight was aborted. There was no target in the test.
13 October 1995 Success Launched to test its target-seeking system. There was no attempt to hit the target in the test.
13 December 1995 Failure Failed to hit a test target due to software errors in the missile's fuel system.
22 March 1996 Failure Failed to hit a test target due to mechanical problems with the kill vehicle's booster separation.
15 July 1996 Failure Failed to hit a test target due to a malfunction in the targeting system.
6 March 1997 Failure Failed to hit a test target due to a contamination in the electrical system.
12 May 1998 Failure Failed to hit a test target due to an electrical short circuit in the booster system. At this point, the U.S. Congress reduced funding for the project due to repeated failures.
29 March 1999 Failure Failed to hit a test target due to multiple failures including guidance system.
10 June 1999 Success Hit a test target in a simplified test scenario.
2 August 1999 Success Hit a test target outside the atmosphere.

Engineering and manufacturing

In June 2000, Lockheed won the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) contract to turn the design into a mobile tactical army fire unit. Flight tests of this system resumed with missile characterization and full system tests in 2006 at White Sands Missile Range, then moved to the Pacific Missile Range Facility. The Interceptor was lead through development and initial production by Tory Bruno, who later became CEO of United Launch Alliance.

Date Result Notes
22 November 2005 Success Launched a missile in its first Flight EMD Test, known as FLT-01. The test was deemed a success by Lockheed and the Pentagon.
11 May 2006 Success FLT-02, the first developmental flight test to test the entire system including interceptor, launcher, radar, and fire control system.
12 July 2006 Success FLT-03. Intercepted a live target missile.
13 September 2006 Aborted Hera target missile launched but had to be terminated in mid-flight before the launch of the FLT-04 missile. This has officially been characterized as a "no test."
Fall 2006 Cancelled FLT-05, a missile-only test, was postponed until mid-spring 2007.
27 January 2007 Success FLT-06. Intercepted a "high endo-atmospheric" (just inside earth's atmosphere) unitary (non-separating) target representing a "SCUD"-type ballistic missile launched from a mobile platform off Kauai in the Pacific Ocean.
6 April 2007 Success FLT-07 test. Intercepted a "mid endo-atmospheric" unitary target missile off Kauai in the Pacific Ocean. It successfully tested THAAD's interoperability with other elements of the MDS system.[12][13]
27 October 2007 Success Conducted a successful exo-atmospheric test at the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) off Kauai, Hawaii. The flight test demonstrated the system's ability to detect, track and intercept an incoming unitary target above the Earth's atmosphere. The Missile was hot-condition tested to prove its ability to operate in extreme environments.[14][15]
27 June 2008 Success Downed a missile launched from a C-17 Globemaster III.[16]
17 September 2008 Aborted Target missile failed shortly after launch so neither interceptor was launched. Officially a "no test".[17]
17 March 2009 Success A repeat of the September flight test. This time it was a success.[18]
11 December 2009 Aborted FLT-11: The Hera target missile failed to ignite after air deployment and the interceptor was not launched. Officially a "no test".[19]
29 June 2010 Success FLT-14: Conducted a successful endo-atmospheric intercept of unitary target at lowest altitude to date. Afterward, exercised Simulation-Over-Live-Driver (SOLD) system to inject multiple simulated targets into the THAAD radar to test system's ability to engage a mass raid of enemy ballistic missiles.[20]
5 October 2011 Success FLT-12: Conducted a successful endo-atmospheric intercept of two targets with two interceptors.[21]
24 October 2012 Success FTI-01 (Flight Test Integrated 01): test of the integration of THAAD with PAC-3 and Aegis against a raid of 5 missiles of different types.[22] During this engagement THAAD successfully intercepted an Extended Long Range Air Launch Target (E-LRALT) missile dropped from a C-17 north of Wake Island.[23] This marked the first time THAAD had intercepted a Medium Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM).[23] Two AN/TPY-2 were used in the $180m test, with the forward-based radar feeding data into Aegis and Patriot systems as well as THAAD.[24]

THAAD-ER

Lockheed is pushing for funding for the development of an extended range (ER) version of the THAAD to counter maturing threats posed by hypersonic glide vehicles that adversaries may deploy, namely the Chinese WU-14, to penetrate the gap between low and high-altitude missile defenses. The company performed static fire trials of a modified THAAD booster in 2006 and continued to fund the project until 2008. The current 14.5 in (37 cm)-diameter single-stage booster design would be expanded to a 21 in (53 cm) first stage for greater range with a second "kick stage" to close the distance to the target and provide improved velocity at burnout and more lateral movement during an engagement. Although the kill vehicle would not need redesign, the ground-based launcher would have only five missiles instead of eight. As of early 2015 THAAD-ER is only an industry concept, but Lockheed believes the Missile Defense Agency will show interest because of the weapons under development by potential adversaries.[25] If funding for the THAAD-ER begins in 2018, a system could be produced by 2022 to provide an interim capability against a rudimentary hypersonic threat. The Pentagon is researching whether other technologies like directed energy weapons and railguns are better solutions for missile defense; these are expected to become available in the mid to late 2020's.[26]

Production and deployment

The AN/TPY-2 radar

Sometimes called Kinetic Kill technology, the THAAD missile destroys missiles by colliding with them, using hit-to-kill technology, like the MIM-104 Patriot PAC-3 (although the PAC-3 also contains a small explosive warhead). This is unlike the Patriot PAC-2 which carried only an explosive warhead detonated using a proximity fuse. Although the actual figures are classified, THAAD missiles have an estimated range of 125 miles (200 km), and can reach an altitude of 93 miles (150 km). A THAAD battery consists of at least six[27] launcher vehicles, each equipped with eight missiles, with two mobile tactical operations centers (TOCs) and the AN/TPY-2 ground-based radar (GBR);[28] the U.S. Army plans to field at least six THAAD batteries.[25]

The THAAD missile is manufactured at the Lockheed Martin facility near Troy, Alabama. The facility performs final integration, assembly and testing of the THAAD missile. The THAAD Radar is an X Band active electronically scanned array Radar developed and built by Raytheon at its Andover, Massachusetts Integrated Air Defense Facility. It is the world's largest ground/air-transportable X-Band radar. The THAAD Radar and a variant developed as a forward sensor for ICBM missile defense, the Forward-Based X-Band – Transportable (FBX-T) radar was assigned a common designator, AN/TPY-2,[29] in late 2006/ early 2007.

First units activated

On 28 May 2008, the U.S. Army activated Alpha Battery, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment (A-4),[30] 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade at Fort Bliss, Texas. Battery A-4 is part of the 32nd Army Air & Missile Defense Command. At the time, the battery had 24 THAAD interceptors, three THAAD launchers based on the M1120 HEMTT Load Handling System, a THAAD Fire Control and a THAAD radar. Full fielding began in 2009.[31][32] On 16 October 2009, the U.S. Army and the Missile Defense Agency activated the second Terminal High Altitude Area Defense Battery, Alpha Battery, 2nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment (A-2), at Fort Bliss.[33]

On 15 August 2012, Lockheed received a $150 million contract from the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to produce THAAD Weapon System launchers and fire control and communications equipment for the U.S. Army. The contract included 12 launchers, two fire control and communications units, and support equipment. The contract provided six launchers for THAAD Battery 5 and an additional three launchers each to Batteries 1 and 2. These deliveries will bring all Batteries to the standard six launcher configuration.[34]

Deployments and orders

THAAD Energy Management Steering maneuver, used to burn excess propellant

In June 2009, the United States deployed a THAAD unit to Hawaii, along with the SBX sea-based radar, to defend against a possible North Korean launch targeting the archipelago.[35] In April 2013, the United States declared that Alpha Battery, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment (A-4), would be deployed to Guam to defend against a possible North Korean IRBM attack targeting the island.[36][37] In March 2014 Alpha Battery, 2nd ADA RGT (A-2), did a change of responsibility with A-4 and took over the Defense of Guam Mission. After a successful 12-month deployment by A-4, Delta 2 (D-2) took its place for a 12-month deployment.

The United Arab Emirates signed a deal to purchase the missile defense system on 25 December 2011.[38] United Arab Emirates (UAE) has graduated its first two Terminal High Altitude Air Defense (THAAD) unit classes at Fort Bliss in 2015, and in 2016.[39] Its first live-fire exercises with Patriot missiles took place in 2014.

On 27 May 2013, Oman announced a deal for the acquisition of the THAAD air defense system.[40] The U.S. AN/TPY-2 early missile warning radar station on Mt. Keren in the Negev desert is the only active foreign military installation in Israel.[41] According to U.S. officials the AN/TPY-2 radar was deployed at Turkey's Kürecik Air Force base.[42] The radar was activated at January 2012.[43]

On 1 November 2015, a THAAD system was a key component of Campaign Fierce Sentry Flight Test Operational-02 Event 2 (FTO-02 E2), a complex $230 million U.S. military missile defense system test event conducted at Wake Island and the surrounding ocean areas.[44] The objective was to test the ability of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense and THAAD Weapon Systems to defeat a raid of three near-simultaneous air and missile targets, consisting of one medium-range ballistic missile, one short-range ballistic missile and one cruise missile target. During the test, a THAAD system on Wake Island detected and destroyed a short-range target simulating a short-range ballistic missile[44]: intercepts @1:13 & 3:12  that was launched by parachute ejected from a C-17 transport plane. At the same time, the THAAD system and the USS John Paul Jones guided missile destroyer both launched missiles to intercept a medium-range ballistic missile,[44]: intercepts @2:50 & 3:12  launched by parachute from a second C-17.[45][46] By March 2016, Army Space and Missile Defense Command was considering THAAD deployments to Europe with EUCOM and the Middle East with CENTCOM.[47]

China and Taiwan tensions

Due to the threat of a military invasion by the People's Republic of China (PRC) of the democratic island country of the Republic of China (Taiwan), the President of Taiwan is undergoing negotiations with the United States to purchase the THAAD missile defense system to protect from the threat of over 2,000 Chinese short–range missiles.[48][49] that are currently aimed at Taiwan.[50][51][52]

Korean peninsula

See also: North Korea and weapons of mass destruction

On 17 October 2013, the South Korean military asked the Pentagon to provide information on the THAAD system concerning prices and capabilities as part of efforts to strengthen defenses against North Korean ballistic missiles.[53] However, South Korea decided it will develop its own indigenous long-range surface-to-air missile instead of buying the THAAD.[54] South Korean Defense Ministry officials previously requested information on the THAAD, as well as other missile interceptors like the Israeli Arrow 3, with the intention of researching systems for domestic technology development rather than for purchase. Officials did however state that American deployment of the THAAD system would help in countering North Korean missile threats.[55] Later South Korea announced it would be deploying THAAD by the end of 2017.[56]

In May 2014, the Pentagon revealed it was studying sites to base THAAD batteries in South Korea.[57] In November 2015, Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani said he would consider the U.S. deploying the THAAD in Japan to counter the threat of North Korean ballistic missiles.[58] In February 2016, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed concerns that deployment of THAAD in South Korea, despite being directed at North Korea, could jeopardize China's "legitimate national security interests."[59] The major controversy among Chinese officials is that they believe the purpose of the THAAD system, "which detects and intercepts incoming missiles at high altitudes, is actually to track missiles launched from China" not from North Korea.[60]

In July 2016, American and South Korean military officials agreed to deploy the THAAD missile defense system in the country to counter North Korea's growing threats and use of ballistic missile and nuclear tests; each THAAD unit consists of six truck-mounted launchers, 48 interceptors, a fire control and communications unit, and an AN/TPY-2 radar.[61] Seongju County in North Gyeongsang Province was chosen as the site to base the THAAD, partly because it is out of range of North Korean rocket artillery along the DMZ,[62] which sparked protests from Seongju County residents from fear of the radiation emitted by the AN/TPY-2 radar.[63] On 30 September 2016, the U.S. and South Korea announced that THAAD would be relocated within the county, farther from the town's main residential areas and higher in elevation, to alleviate concerns.[64] By October 2016, Japan was considering procuring either THAAD or Aegis Ashore to add a new missile defense layer.[65]

On 6 March 2017, two THAAD launcher trucks arrived by air transport at Osan Air Base South Korea for a deployment.[66][67][68] Earlier that day, North Korea had launched 4 missiles.[69] A Reuters article stated that with the THAAD defense system, a North Korean missile barrage would still pose a threat to South Korea,[70] while an article in the International Journal of Space Politics & Policy said that South Korean forces already possess Patriot systems for point defense and Aegis destroyers capable of stopping ballistic missiles that may come from the north.[71][original research?]

See also

References

Footnotes

  1. ^ The different kinds (e.g., nuclear, thermonuclear, conventional, chemical, biological) of warheads detonate in different ways, depending on their respective kind.

Citations

  1. ^ a b c d e f "THAAD". astronautix.com. Retrieved 7 March 2017.
  2. ^ "PACOM Head Supports Exercises Near China, Talks THAAD", Defense News, 25 February 2016.
  3. ^ "Naver Dictionary: THAAD", Naver Dictionary
  4. ^ "Pentagon To Accelerate THAAD Deployment", Jeremy Singer, Space News, 4 September 2006
  5. ^ "Lockheed Martin completes delivery of all components of 1st THAAD battery to U.S. Army",Yourdefencenews.com,March 8,2012
  6. ^ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1295945/So-d-tente-China-aims-2-000-missiles-Taiwan-despite-warming-relations.html
  7. ^ http://www.reuters.com/article/us-taiwan-china-idUSTRE66I13F20100719
  8. ^ http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3095284
  9. ^ http://geostrategy-direct-subscribers.com/the-u-s-weighs-sale-of-thaad-to-taiwan/
  10. ^ http://eastasiaintel.com/the-u-s-weighs-sale-of-thaad-to-taiwan/
  11. ^ "With an Eye on Pyongyang, U.S. Sending Missile Defenses to Guam". The Wall Street Journal, 3 April 2013.
  12. ^ "MDA's new THAAD success", Martin Sieff, UPI, 6 April 2007
  13. ^ "Army, Navy and Air Force shoot down test missile", Tom Finnegan, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 6 April 2007
  14. ^ "Press Release by Lockheed Martin on Newswires". Texas: Prnewswire.com. 26 October 2007. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
  15. ^ "31st successful 'hit to kill' intercept in 39 tests". Frontierindia.net. 27 October 2007. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
  16. ^ "THAAD shoots down missile from C-17". The Associated Press, 27 June 2008
  17. ^ Defense Test Conducted MDA 27 September 2008
  18. ^ "Terminal High Altitude Area Defense". MDA. 17 March 2009. Archived from the original on 26 March 2009.
  19. ^ "Officials investigating cause of missile failure". The Garden Island. 12 December 2009.
  20. ^ "THAAD System Intercepts Target in Successful Missile Defense Flight Test". MDA. 29 June 2010.
  21. ^ "THAAD Weapon System Achieves Intercept of Two Targets at Pacific Missile Range Facility". Lockheed Martin. 5 October 2011. Archived from the original on 9 December 2011.
  22. ^ "FTI-01 Mission Data Sheet" (PDF). Missile Defense Agency. 15 October 2012.
  23. ^ a b "Ballistic Missile Defense System Engages Five Targets Simultaneously During Largest Missile Defense Flight Test in History". Missile Defense Agency. 25 October 2012.
  24. ^ Butler, Amy (5 November 2012). "Pentagon Begins To Tackle Air Defense 'Raid' Threat". Aviation Week & Space Technology.
  25. ^ a b "China's Hypersonic Ambitions Prompt Thaad-ER Push". Aviationweek.com, 8 January 2015.
  26. ^ "Thaad-ER In Search Of A Mission". Aviationweek.com, 20 January 2015.
  27. ^ "U.S. military deploys advanced defensive missile system to South Korea, citing North Korean threat".
  28. ^ U.S. Army has received the latest upgrade for THAAD air defense missile system – Armyrecognition.com, 2 January 2015
  29. ^ Communications, Raytheon Corporate. "Raytheon: Army Navy/Transportable Radar Surveillance (AN/TPY-2)".
  30. ^ Unit numbering: e.g., "Battery D, 2nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment" would abbreviate as 'D-2' on its guidon
  31. ^ "First Battery of THAAD Weapon System Activated at Fort Bliss". Lockheed Martin via newsblaze, 28 May 2008
  32. ^ "First Battery of THAAD Weapon System Activated at Fort Bliss", Press Release, Lockheed Martin Official Website, 28 May 2008
  33. ^ "Second Battery of Lockheed Martin's THAAD Weapon System Activated at Fort Bliss", Reuters (10-16-2009). Retrieved 20 October 2009.
  34. ^ Lockheed Martin Receives $150 Million Contract To Produce THAAD Weapon System Equipment For The U.S. Army – Lockheed press release, 15 August 2012
  35. ^ Gienger, Viola (18 June 2009). "Gates Orders Measures Against North Korea Missile (Update2)". Bloomberg. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
  36. ^ "US to move missiles to Guam after North Korea threats". BBC. 3 April 2013. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
  37. ^ Burge, David (9 April 2013). "100 bound for Guam: Fort Bliss THAAD unit readies for historic mission". El Paso Times. Retrieved 12 April 2013.
  38. ^ "U.S., UAE reach deal for missile-defense system", CNN Wire Staff, CNN, 30 December 2011
  39. ^ UAE graduates second class of THAAD air defenders
  40. ^ Oman to buy the air defense missile system THAAD – Armyrecognition.com, 27 May 2013
  41. ^ "How a U.S. Radar Station in the Negev Affects a Potential Israel-Iran Clash." Time Magazine, 30 May 2012.
  42. ^ "U.S. Maintains Full Control of Turkish-Based Radar" Defense Update, 30 January 2012
  43. ^ "NATO Activates Radar in Turkey Next Week" Turkish Weekly Journal, 24 December 2011
  44. ^ a b c 2015 THAAD FTO2 Event2a accessdate=2016-07-14
  45. ^ "USS John Paul Jones participates in ballistic missile defense test", Ho'okele – Pearl Harbor – Hickam News, 6 November 2015, http://www.hookelenews.com/uss-john-paul-jones-participates-in-ballistic-missile-defense-test/
  46. ^ U.S. completes complex test of layered missile defense system, Reuters, Anfrea Shalal, 1 November 2015, http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/11/02/us-usa-missile-defense-idUSKCN0SQ2GR20151102#A5FPzTc4GoPTGuvo.99
  47. ^ Army Weighing THAAD Deployments in Europe, Middle East – Defensenews.com, 22 March 2016
  48. ^ Foreign, Mail (19 July 2010). "So much for détente: China aims 2,000 missiles at Taiwan despite warming relations | Daily Mail Online". Dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved 8 March 2017.
  49. ^ Reuters Editorial (19 July 2010). "China on track to aim 2,000 missiles at Taiwan: report". Reuters. Retrieved 8 March 2017. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  50. ^ Taiwan News (15 February 2017). "THAAD may be deployed in Taiwan: HK media". Taiwan News. Retrieved 8 March 2017.
  51. ^ Click here for Time Machine (21 February 2017). "The U.S. weighs sale of THAAD to Taiwan – Geostrategy-Direct". Geostrategy-direct-subscribers.com. Retrieved 8 March 2017.(Subscription required.)
  52. ^ "The U.S. weighs sale of THAAD to Taiwan". East-Asia-Intel. Retrieved 8 March 2017.(Subscription required.)
  53. ^ Army of South Korea shows interest for the U.S. THAAD – Armyrecognition.com, 18 October 2013
  54. ^ S. Korea to develop indigenous missile defense system instead of adopting THAAD – Sina.com, 3 June 2014
  55. ^ 'S.Korea Requested Information on THAAD to Develop L-SAM' – KBS.co.kr, 5 June 2014
  56. ^ "Seoul vows to proceed with THAAD deployment, slams China's 'reprisals' tactics".
  57. ^ United States Army has a plan to deploy THAAD air defense missile systems in South Korea – Armyrecognition.com, 29 May 2014
  58. ^ Japan is considering deployement of US missile defense system including the THAAD – Armyrecognition.com, 24 November 2015
  59. ^ Shala & Stewart, Andrea & Phil (25 February 2016). "China cites concerns on U.S. missile defense system in South Korea". Reuters. Reuters.
  60. ^ Perez, Jane. "For China, a Missile Defense System in South Korea Spells a Failed Courtship". New York Times. New York Times. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  61. ^ THAAD To Officially Deploy to South Korea - Defensenews.com, 8 July 2016
  62. ^ http://www.voanews.com/content/thaad-radition-fears-spark-south-korean-protests/3419467.html picked as site for THAAD battery - Koreatimes.co.kr, 12 July 2016
  63. ^ THAAD Radiation Fears Spark South Korean Protests Voice of America 15 July 2016.
  64. ^ S. Korea selects golf course as new site for THAAD - Yonhapnews.co.kr, 30 September 2016
  65. ^ Japan may accelerate missile defense upgrades in wake of North Korean tests: sources - Reuters.com, 17 October 2016
  66. ^ U.S. Begins Shipping Controversial Anti-Missile System to South Korea accessdate=2017-03-06
  67. ^ THAAD arrives on the Korean Peninsula 2017-03-06
  68. ^ Mullany, Gerry (6 March 2017). "U.S. Starts Deploying Thaad Antimissile System in South Korea, After North's Tests". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 7 March 2017.
  69. ^ Osan AirBase (6 March 2017). "THAAD Deploys to Republic of Korea". Retrieved 7 March 2017.
  70. ^ Pearson, James (8 March 2017). "Even with THAAD defense, North Korea missile barrage poses threat to South". Reuters.
  71. ^ De Leon Petta Gomes da Costa (16 March 2016). "Chinese Geopolitics: Space Program Cooperation among China, Brazil, and Russia". Astropolitics: the International Journal of Space Politics & Policy. 14 (1). Francis & Taylor: Routledge: 90–98. Bibcode:2016AstPo..14...90D. doi:10.1080/14777622.2016.1148465. ISSN 1477-7622. OCLC 300873391.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Terminal High Altitude Area Defense.

DEM-VAL Test Program

EMD Test Program

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