THAAD Weapon System Conducts Successful Exo-Atmospheric Interceptor Test

DALLAS: Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) conducted a successful exo-atmospheric test of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Weapon System at the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) on Kauai, HI. The flight test demonstrated the system's ability to detect, track and intercept an incoming unitary target above the Earth's atmosphere.

Preliminary data indicates the THAAD flight test successfully met all test objectives including demonstrating the successful integration of the radar, launcher, THAAD Fire Control and Communication (TFCC) and interceptor; exo- atmospheric intercept of a unitary target; and demonstrating the Interceptor's endgame capability in a highly stressing intercept scenario. The interceptor was conditioned "hot," meaning the interceptor was heated before testing. Hot conditioning demonstrates the interceptor's ability to operate in extreme environments. The remainder of THAAD flight testing will take place at PMRF through 2009.

"The THAAD Weapon System continues to prove its ability in both endo and exo-atmospheric environments," said Tom McGrath, program manager and vice president for THAAD at Lockheed Martin. "That's what makes this system so unique. No other missile defense system in the world can destroy tactical ballistic missiles outside and inside the Earth's atmosphere. That flexibility provides greater protection for our Warfighters and our allies."

Since November 2005 the THAAD Weapon System program has conducted seven successful flight tests including four tests involving the successful intercept of threat representative targets:

    -- November 2005 - Successful missile-only flight test
    -- May 2006 - Successful integration of the entire THAAD Weapon System
       including launcher, interceptor, radar and fire control system
    -- July 2006 - Successful seeker characterization flight test including
       first target intercept
    -- September 2006 - Mission designated a 'no-test' when the HERA target
       malfunctioned and was destroyed by WSMR Range Safety before the
       interceptor was launched; excellent THAAD ground data was acquired
    -- January 2007 - Successful high endo-atmospheric intercept of a unitary
       target in THAAD's first flight test at the PMRF
    -- April 2007 - Successful intercept of a unitary target at lower altitude
    -- June 2007 - Successful missile-only flight test in low endo-atmosphere
    -- October 2007 - Successful intercept of a unitary target outside the
       atmosphere.

Lockheed Martin's THAAD Weapon System Conducts Test More Military Pictures

A production contract for the first two fire units was awarded to Lockheed Martin in late 2006. Also, the THAAD program recently announced production of the THAAD launcher and fire control and communications unit will take place at Lockheed Martin's manufacturing facility in Camden, AR. Interceptor production is conducted at Lockheed Martin's Pike County Facility in Troy, AL. Deliveries will support a First Unit Equipped in FY'09.

THAAD is designed to defend U.S. troops, allied forces, population centers and critical infrastructure against short- to intermediate range ballistic missiles. THAAD comprises a fire control and communications system, interceptors, launchers and a radar. The THAAD interceptor uses hit-to-kill technology to destroy targets, and THAAD is the only weapon system that engages threat ballistic missiles at both endo- and exo-atmospheric altitudes.

A key element of the nation's Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS), THAAD is a Missile Defense Agency program, with the program office located in Huntsville, AL. The agency is developing a BMDS to defend the United States, its deployed forces, friends and allies against ballistic missiles of all ranges and in all phases of flight.

Lockheed Martin is a world leader in systems integration and the development of air and missile defense systems and technologies, including the first operational hit-to-kill missile. It also has considerable experience in missile design and production, infrared seekers, command and control/battle management, and communications, precision pointing and tracking optics, as well as radar and signal processing. The company makes significant contributions to all major U.S. missile defense systems and participates in several global missile defense partnerships.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.