KWAJALEIN ATOLL, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Aug.
30, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin's (NYSE: LMT)
Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system successfully
intercepted a medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) target today in
a missile defense test led by the U.S. Missile Defense Agency with
critical support provided by the U.S. Army.
During the test, designated Flight Test THAAD (FTT-23), the
THAAD system located at U.S. Army Garrison Kwajalein Atoll in the
Republic of the Marshall Islands
successfully detected, tracked and intercepted a threat
representative target using a THAAD launcher that was positioned at
distance from the other THAAD end items.
The THAAD radar detected, acquired and tracked the target. The
THAAD system then developed a fire control solution and launched an
interceptor from a remotely-located THAAD launcher that destroyed
the target's reentry vehicle.
This was the 16th successful intercept in 16 attempts for the
THAAD system since 2005.
The THAAD system now has the capability to physically untether a
THAAD launcher from the battle manager and launch interceptors
remotely, greatly enhancing launcher emplacement options and
increasing the defended area.
"The enhanced THAAD system performed flawlessly in today's test,
and we are proud to support the Missile Defense Agency and U.S.
Army as they continue to demonstrate the system's unmatched
capabilities," said Richard
McDaniel, vice president of Upper Tier Integrated Air and
Missile Defense Systems at Lockheed Martin. "This successful test
paves the way for delivery of an urgent need capability that will
enhance THAAD's emplacement options resulting in greater asset
protection."
THAAD is highly effective at defending against a host of
ballistic missile threats to include mass raid scenarios. The
system uses hit-to-kill technology to destroy a threat with direct
impact neutralizing lethal payloads before they reach protected
assets on the ground. The system is rapidly deployable, mobile and
interoperable with all other Ballistic Missile Defense System
(BMDS) elements, including Patriot/PAC-3, Aegis, forward-based
sensors and the Command, Control, Battle Management and
Communications system.
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a
global security and aerospace company that employs approximately
105,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the
research, design, development, manufacture, integration and
sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and
services.
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SOURCE Lockheed Martin