Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system with AI-driven battle management for autonomous ballistic missile intercept. Kinetic kill vehicle guided by AI terminal seeker.
THAAD's hit-to-kill interceptor carries no explosive warhead, relying entirely on kinetic energy released by a direct collision at closing speeds of several kilometers per second to destroy incoming warheads. The system's AN/TPY-2 X-band radar provides long-range discrimination capability that can distinguish warheads from decoys and debris during the midcourse phase of a ballistic missile's flight. South Korea's deployment of THAAD batteries has been a persistent source of diplomatic tension with China, which objects to the system's radar coverage extending deep into Chinese territory.
Deployed Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Guam; used during Houthi missile attacks; Saudi deployments 2022
Lockheed Martin (LMT) is the primary publicly traded beneficiary of THAAD. Raytheon (RTX) provides radar components. Both companies have multi-billion dollar backlogs tied to THAAD production and upgrades.