Lockheed Martin Wins US MDA’s THAAD Components Production Deal

Lockheed Martin has won a $124.6 million contract to supply terminal high-altitude area defense (THAAD) system ground components to the US Missile Defense Agency (MDA).

As per the contract, the company will manufacture and deliver THAAD launchers, support equipment and fire control, as well as communication and launcher spares.

"THAAD provides warfighters with the requisite deployability, combat power and lethality to counter current and emerging ballistic missile threats around the globe,” Lockheed Martin THAAD vice-president Richard McDaniel said.

A key element of the US ballistic-missile defense system, the THAAD missile system is designed to intercept and destroy short, medium and intermediate ballistic missiles, using hit-to-kill technology.

Equipped with launchers, missiles, battle management / command, control, communications and intelligence (BMC3I) units and radars, it defends the US and its deployed forces and allies against ballistic-missile threats during all phases of flight.

THAAD is claimed to be the only system capable of engaging ballistic missiles at both endo and exo-atmospheric altitudes, providing versatile capability to soldiers.

Work is scheduled to start in 2016, and to be completed in 2017.