Lockheed Martin’s Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) missile system successfully intercepted and destroyed a target missile in a test over the Pacific last week.
A US Navy ship launched a target missile which was detected by a missile tracking station within 2.5 minutes and a THAAD was launched to intercept it Lockheed says.
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THAAD is designed to defend against short to intermediate range ballistic missiles and can identify, track and destroy inbound ballistic missile warheads.
The ‘hit-to-kill’ system does not carry explosives, instead using kinetic energy from a direct impact to vaporise its target.
Lockheed says more challenging tests are scheduled for next year which will include tracking more than one missile.
By staff writer
