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PRO/BMDO (продолжение)

milstar: Radar performance degrades in environments disturbed by nuclear explosions. ################################################### Hit- to-kill GBIs eliminate the nuclear weapon in the interceptor, but not that in the incoming RV, which could detonate on contact or command. ####################################### Neskolko yglow attaki ,na kazdom formazija/gruppirowka po 100 -1000 boegolowok W ochen' xoroschim/xoroschim chansom chast' iz nix budet podorwanna po prodwizeniju k rajonu attaki dlja degradazii/polnoj newozmoznosti funkzionirowanija rls PRO/BMD That would produce widespread ionospheric disturbances that could interrupt radar or infrared sensors for times longer than the attack. ################################# The US has no relevant data on nuclear phenomenology at relevant intercept altitudes. ####################################################### While x-band radars are less susceptible to nuclear blackout, the Achilles heel of Sentinel and Safeguard was random refraction from multiple bursts, for which there is no experimental evidence. ##################### Wopros s 35 ghz i 94 ghz RLS ,budut oni lutsche w dannoj situazii ? s ychetom wozmoznix plusow - ochen' yzkij luch ,dlja cassegran antenni 13.7 metra diametorom 0.014 grad dlja 94 ghz i 0.042 grad dlja 35 ghz i minusow - pri nizkix yglax bolschoe zatuxanie ot atmosferi ,w dozd' rsche xuze Megawatnnie lampi est' na oba diapazona pri depressed traektori wisota poleta mozet bit' 50-60 km pri elevazii 0 grad eto 800 km Y Warlok pri antenne 1.8 metra 94 ghz i impulsnoj moschnosti 100 kwt pri yglax elevazii 30 grad- 700 km pri 0 grad -70 km W 7 raz bolsche antenna = 49 po moschnosti i 10 po moschnsoti = 490.Koren' chetwertoj stepeni daet ywelichenie dalnosti w 4.7 raza Na 35 ghz werojatno lutsche(zatuxanie w atmosfere i ot dozdja mensche ) , no za schet ywelichanija lucha s 0.014 grad w 0.042 grad For attacks greater than a few weapons, this introduces a fundamental uncertainty into ######################################################## NMD. ### Gregory H. Canavan Los Alamos National Laboratory gcanavan@lanl.gov http://www.aps.org/units/fps/newsletters/1999/july/canavan-paper.html

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milstar: А затем, развивая идею, спроектировал, освоил производство и успешно испытал активную защиту шахтных пусковых установок стратегических ракет. Невероятно, но активная защита Сергея Непобедимого гарантированно разрушала ядерную боеголовку атакующей ракеты до того, как та успевала взорваться. Фактически отечественные ШПУ с «Воеводами», «Стилетами» и «Тополями» были бы сегодня абсолютно неуязвимы для самого высокоточного оружия, в том числе ядерного. Но на вооружение эти уникальные комплексы, как и танковые «Арены», приняты не были. Подробнее: http://nvo.ng.ru/notes/2011-08-19/9_nepobedimyi.html

milstar: Многофункциональная радиолокационная станция дециметрового диапазона контейнерного типа "МАРС-Э" [attachmentid=23253] Многофункциональная Адаптивная Радиолокационная Станция (МАРС) предназначена для обнаружения баллистических и аэродинамических целей, может быть использована: • Комплексами зональной ПРО и ПВО; • Системами контроля космического пространства и предупреждения о ракетном нападении • Системой ПРО на ТВД. Дальность обнаружения с вероятностью 0.95, км: корпуса БР 2000 боевые блоки БР с эффективной поверхностью рассеяния 0.1 м 1300 Количество одновременно сопровождаемых воздушно-космических целей (временной интервал - 1 минута) 5-20 Количество одновременно сопровождаемых и управляемых противоракет (временной интервал - 1 минута) 5-10 Максимальная ошибка целеуказания (время пролонгации - 150 с), км 2 Среднеквадратическая ошибка определения точки падения БР, км 15 Рабочий диапазон длин волн, см 10 Конструктивная дальность действия, км: максимальная 3000 минимальная 30 Сектор электронного сканирования, град.: Независимое военное обозрение МАК «Вымпел» -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://forums.airbase.ru/2006/01/t36228--rls-kontejnernogo-tipa.8004.html http://www.rti-mints.ru/prls.htm

milstar: Dannie po RLS Don -2NP http://vko.ru/database/images/pictures/archive/1103/70-01.jpg Diapazon -ne ykazan (predpolozitelno X) Tip - ne ykzano(predpolozitelno PFAR s nepolnim zapolneniem) Moschnost- 0.82 megawatt/78 megawatt Kanalnost- 32 ( na nix delitsja moschnsot 0.78 megawatt) Tochnost po dalnosti -10 metrow Tochnost po yglam -2 minuti


milstar: Haystack is also used by MIT Lincoln Laboratory as a radar which acts as a contributing sensor to the United States Space Surveillance Network and as a radar technology testbed. The Haystack Radar utilizes the 37 m Haystack antenna to generate radar images of satellites orbiting the Earth. These images are used by the United States Strategic Command to assess satellite structure, mission, and status. The radar is also used to collect data on orbiting space debris. Orbiting debris could be a threat to the International Space Station, the Space Shuttle, and other satellites. The Haystack Radar has been the major contributor to understanding the space debris environment in the 1-10 cm size regime. The Haystack Radar currently operates in the 9.5 GHz to 10.5 GHz frequency band. As part of the upgrade, a millimeter-wave radar that operates in the 92 GHz to 100 GHz frequency band will be added to the system. The new radar will use an innovative transmitter design and signal processing to achieve image resolution that is about 10 times better than what is currently available. The existing 37 meter (120 foot) antenna will be replaced by a new dish, accurate to 0.1 millimeter (0.004 inch) over its entire surface, which is a factor of 3 better than at present. The new antenna will permit the Haystack radio-telescope to operate in the 150 GHz range or higher, making it a premier radio-astronomy facility. L-3 ESSCO of Concord, MA, has been selected to design, fabricate, and install the new antenna http://www.haystack.edu/obs/haystack/LincolnUpgrade.pdf Srednjaa moschnost w X band 200 kwt . Ysilitel w vertex 2.4 metra *2.4 metra*3.6 metra ############################################################# pri polose 1000 mgz ( razr. sposobnost 250 mm ) ################################## Pri polose 8000 mgz i extrapoljazii polosi -do 10 mm (mozno chitat nomera awtomaschini ,esli bi ona letala na orbite)

milstar: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. FGAN 681 km ,800 mgz radar video http://www.fas.org/spp/military/program/track/shuttle_movie.gif W diapzone Ku 15-17 ghz rabotajut radari B-2 Spirit HAX Auxilary 12 metrow ,ydalos poluchit polosu 2000 mgz FGAN FGAN Radar 34 metra appertura 1.8 sm (15-17 ghz Ku band) Snimok s distanzii 681 km http://www.fas.org/spp/military/program/track/fgan.pdf 2. http://www.sandia.gov/RADAR/imageryka.html kollekzija image ot 35 ghz synthetic apperture radar razr.sposobnost' 4 inches -10 sm,100 millimetr Contact: To send feedback or request information about the contents of Sandia National Laboratories' synthetic aperture radar website, please contact: Nikki L. Angus Synthetic Aperture Radar Website Owner Sandia National Laboratories Albuquerque, NM 87185-1330 (505) 844-7776 (Phone) (505) 845-5491 (Fax) nlangus@sandia.gov http://www.sandia.gov/RADAR/movies.html kollekzija video s SAR Ku band i raz sposb 300 mm

milstar: http://www.guraran.ru/index.php?mode=10&submode=30&razdel=11&id=14394 И по нашим заключениям, и по заключениям экспертов США, которые не единожды публиковали результаты своих исследований в открытых, и в полуоткрытых американских изданиях, вывод абсолютно однозначный: от массированного удара по территории США, измеряемого несколькими десятками, максимум – сотнями боевых блоков, защита, с точки зрения эффективного ################################################## перехвата этих боевых элементов с помощью тех технических средств и технологий, которые на сегодняшний день существуют, реализована быть не может. Генеральный конструктор ОАО «Корпорация «МИТ», академик РАН Юрий Соломонов Cel #### Prikritie aglomerazij 100% ot silnogo protivnika - net Prikritie aglomerazij 100% ot slabogo protivnika - vozmozno dlja Rossii -Moskwu ne prikrit (togo ze mnenija i gen Baluewskij) No postanowka dannoj celi oschibochna ########################### Прикрытие стратегических ядерных сил – важнейшая задача ########################################## Degradazija attaki protivnika Tjazelie SCPU diametrom ( do 100 000 psi),aktiwnoj zaschitoj podzemnim soobscheniem( MX) s wozmoznostju w'ezda i wiezda iz nix mobilnix kompleksow ,Prikritie PRO Wpolne realno ##############

milstar: Advertisement Fri, 8 April, 2011 Three Firms To Design Advanced Interceptor By Space News Staff ShareThis The U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) on April 7 awarded contracts totaling $127 million to three firms for trade studies and initial designs for a new interceptor intended to defeat long-range missiles, according to a Pentagon announcement. Lockheed Martin Corp. of Bethesda, Md., received a $43.3 million study contract for the new Standard Missile (SM)-3 Block 2B interceptor; Raytheon Missile Systems of Tucson, Ariz., was awarded a $42.7 million contract; and Boeing Defense, Space & Security of St. Louis was awarded a $41.2 million contract. The SM-3 Block 2B interceptor is planned to be deployed in 2020 as one of the later elements of the United States’ so-called Phased Adaptive Approach for European missile defense. It will be designed to destroy long-range ballistic missiles — with ranges of up to 12,000 kilometers — in the early stages of flight. ######################## Raytheon is the incumbent contractor, having developed the SM-3 Block 1A interceptors that are deployed today on U.S. Navy ships and the more capable SM-3 Block 1B interceptors that are expected to begin flight testing this summer. Raytheon also is the prime contractor for the larger SM-3 Block 2A interceptor that the United States and Japan are co-developing. Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems of Los Angeles was the only other firm that bid for the SM-3 Block 2B study contracts.

milstar: 2 May 2011 http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=6378769&c=FEA&s=COM The FTM-15 test featured a standard, in-service ABMD system installed on board the guided-missile destroyer USS O'Kane, and pitted for the first time an in-service SM-3 Block 1A missile against an intermediate-range (1,800-3,400 miles) modified Trident I/C-4 ballistic missile target, called the "LV-2." ############################################################################################# This test was well beyond Aegis BMD's original design, which focused on short- and medium-range threats. The LV-2 has flown in two previous BMD ##################################### live-fire tests but was not hit. Until now. Development of the SM-3 Block 1 was an eight-year effort for an incremental upgrade of the proven SM-2 Block 4. The SM-3 Block 2B concept appears to be a far more significant upgrade, and according to some initial descriptions could represent a significant departure from standard missile variants," Sessions added. Kontejner VLS MK57 ? ...792.5 sm *53.3 sm

milstar: Всё начиналось в Сары-Шагане Беседовала Анна ПОТЕХИНА, «Красная звезда». Фото Павла НИКИТИНА. http://www.redstar.ru/2011/09/28_09/2_01.html О состоянии и перспективах отечественной системы ПРО, входящей в состав Космических войск, «Красной звезде» рассказал командир соединения генерал-майор Владимир ЛЯПОРОВ. - Владимир Николаевич, в связи с обсуждением перспектив создания ЕвроПРО в мае этого года объекты соединения впервые посетили представители международного дискуссионного клуба «Валдай». Расскажите, как проходил этот визит и что больше всего интересовало гостей. - Действительно, в составе группы было около 30 участников военной секции международного дискуссионного клуба «Валдай» из США, Франции, Германии, Польши, Шотландии, Норвегии, Японии. В ходе посещения командного пункта соединения ПРО делегации продемонстрировали особенности работы боевого расчёта командного пункта, а также ознакомили с возможностями системы ПРО по обнаружению контролируемых целей. Особое внимание конечно же гости уделили нашей много-функциональной станции «Дон-2Н», которая осуществляет непрерывный контроль космического пространства и способна обеспечивать в установленной зоне ответственности обнаружение баллистических целей, их сопровождение, определение координат и наведение противоракет. Станция обеспечивает одновременный обзор всей верхней полусферы в зоне ответственности комплекса. Поэтому иностранную делегацию прежде всего интересовали потенциальные возможности российской станции ПРО и её тактико-технические характеристики. В ходе визита мы пытались донести информацию о том, что станция «Дон-2Н» уникальна и что её можно использовать в интересах системы ЕвроПРО, не создавая что-то новое. Было видно, что визитёров поразили масштабы и возможности станции. Думаю, что впечатления от посещения нашего объекта у гостей остались очень сильными. Есть надежда, что они сделали правильные выводы. - В январе 2012 года российской системе ПРО исполняется 50 лет. На ваш взгляд, взгляд человека, который всё время прослужил в этой системе на различных должностях, какие главные этапы она пережила? - 4 марта 1961 года экспериментальная система ПРО впервые в мире осуществила перехват головной части баллистической ракеты, летевшей со скоростью 3 км/с. Пуск противоракеты по учебной цели состоялся с полигона Сары-Шаган. Таким образом, 1961 год считается годом создания советской системы противоракетной обороны. Второй этап - постановка на боевое дежурство системы противоракетной обороны. Её главный командно-вычислительный центр находился в 70 километрах от Москвы. Стрельбовые комплексы располагались на большом удалении от столицы и состояли из радиолокаторов наведения и стартовых позиций противоракет. 15 мая 1978 года система РТЦ-81 заступила на боевое дежурство. Одновременно с созданием системы РТЦ-81 происходило и становление соединения ПРО, которое было сформировано 22 января 1962 года. Первым его командиром был генерал-лейтенант артиллерии И.Е. Борышполец. Третий этап - 90-е годы прошлого века. Это создание и испытание средств системы нового поколения, в том числе и многофункциональной станции «Дон-2Н». Работы по созданию станции «Дон-2Н» начались в Радиотехническом институте имени А.Л. Минца в 1970 году. Главным конструктором был В.К. Слока. После предварительных и совместных испытаний уникальная, не имеющая аналогов в мире РЛС «Дон-2Н» стрельбового комплекса системы ПРО г. Москвы в 1995 году была поставлена на боевое дежурство. В настоящее время система боеготова и выполняет поставленную перед ней боевую задачу. В РЛС реализована полностью цифровая обработка сигналов. Функционирование РЛС обеспечивается входящим в её состав сверхвысокопроизводительным многопроцессорным вычислительным комплексом. РЛС «Дон-2Н» предназначена для обнаружения баллистических целей, их сопровождения, определения координат, анализа состава сложных целей и наведения противоракет. Она способна одновременно сопровождать в автоматическом режиме более 100 элементов сложных баллистических целей и одновременно наводить на них несколько десятков противоракет. Основные характеристики РЛС «Дон-2Н» таковы: многофункциональность, высокая помехозащищённость, большие возможности по адаптации к тактической обстановке, высокая информативность сигналов, а также модульность построения, высокая степень автоматизации и контроля. - Можно предполагать, что система ПРО переживает этап модернизации? - В настоящее время проводятся работы по повышению технических характеристик системы ПРО. Завершается переход на современную элементную базу, вводятся в эксплуатацию высокопроизводительные специализированные электронно-вычислительные средства. Проводятся работы по усовершенствованию приёмо-передающих устройств. За счёт модернизации увеличиваются дальность и качество обнаружения баллистических целей и космических аппаратов. Одновременно ведутся работы по созданию перспективных противоракетных средств, что позволит существенно расширить боевые возможности системы. Совершенствуются обеспечивающие системы: если раньше у нас на вооружении находилось 16 дизельных станций, которые могли обеспечить электроэнергией весь Пушкинский район, то теперь их осталось только 10, и этого достаточно, чтобы обеспечить жизнедеятельность станции. За счёт модернизации оборудования и систем у нас практически безболезненно прошло сокращение личного состава. - Изменилась ли система подготовки офицеров, несущих боевое дежурство? - В связи с передачей несвойственных функций по поддержанию коммунальной инфраструктуры у командиров освободилось до 50 процентов рабочего времени, которое они могут более эффективно использовать для подготовки офицеров. У нас создана и применяется система командирской и боевой подготовки, которая включает в себя различные этапы. Например, раз в месяц проводится предварительная подготовка, в ходе которой офицеры, заступающие на боевое дежурство, участвуют в занятиях технической и специальной направленности. В конце занятий принимаются зачёты. По результатам выполнения комплексной задачи даётся оценка: допущен офицер к несению боевого дежурства или нет. Требования ко всем одинаковы. Поэтому офицеры готовятся к сдаче зачётов основательно. Перед заступлением на боевое дежурство офицер проходит непосредственную подготовку, в ходе которой он должен войти в курс дела, вникнуть в особенности несения дежурства на своём боевом посту. При выполнении задач боевого дежурства у офицера имеется индивидуальное задание. Он участвует в различного вида тренировках - по слаживанию боевых расчётов, противоаварийных, противопожарных. Но основная форма обучения офицеров, как и в былые времена, так и сегодня, - это самостоятельная подготовка. Она важна и для опытных офицеров, и для выпускников военных вузов. Наши офицеры обязаны учиться постоянно, так как работают на очень сложной технике, которая просто не терпит дилетантов. Помимо установленной системы боевой подготовки мы постоянно взаимодействуем с представителями промышленности, которые делятся своим и командирским (многие из них служили в системе противоракетной обороны), и техническим опытом. В настоящее время у нас готовятся к сдаче зачётов на допуск к самостоятельной работе офицеры - выпускники Академии имени А.Ф. Можайского. Тот, кто успешно выдержит испытания, будет допущен к боевому дежурству. Должен сказать, что уровень технической и специальной подготовки лейтенантов не снижается. Замечу, что у молодых офицеров значительно повысился уровень физической подготовки. Из 120 лейтенантов, которые направлены к нам в соединение, только двое получили оценки «неудовлетворительно» по этой дисциплине. Уверен, что в ближайшее время и они подтянутся. - Меняется ли что-то в обслуживании противоракетных комплексов? - Сегодня в системе ПРО имеются части, вооружённые противоракетными комплексами ближнего перехвата. Это части постоянной боевой готовности. В конце 1990-х годов прошлого века испытания противоракет прекратились. Теперь же мы ежегодно проводим учебно-боевые пуски противоракет, которые находятся у нас на вооружении, с полигона Сары-Шаган, продлевая их гарантийный ресурс. До конца 2011-го тоже планируем провести эту работу. Надеюсь, с неплохим результатом. Ведь от этих испытаний зависит эффективность работы всей системы противоракетной обороны. Основная задача офицеров на противоракетных комплексах заключается в поддержании их боеготовности, соблюдении температурно-влажностного режима, их охраны и обороны. Огромное значение придаётся плановому техническому обслуживанию: проводятся так называемые особо ответственные работы, в ходе которых с применением самого современного оборудования (видеоконтроля, комплексных измерительных станций) подтверждается боеготовность противоракеты. - Согласно планам боевой подготовки, соединение ПРО систематически участвует в разного рода учениях. Какова их специфика? - Главная специфика заключается в транспортировке наших средств в том числе и по Москве. В ходе командно-штабных учений мы отрабатываем снаряжение и транспортировку противоракет. Это довольно ответственные и сложные операции, поэтому соединение находится в большом напряжении. А всё остальное ежедневно отрабатывается на практике. - Владимир Николаевич, вы можете сравнить условия службы офицеров и качество выполнения ими боевых задач. - Конечно. Во-первых, ещё несколько лет назад части нашего соединения были неукомплектованы. Сегодня укомплектованность составляет 100 процентов. Во-вторых, ещё года два назад у офицеров, особенно молодых, было очень низким денежное содержание. Сегодня же, с учётом всех доплат Министерства обороны молодые офицеры, несущие боевое дежурство, получают от 50 тысяч рублей, плюс ежеквартальные премии. Относительно качества выполнения задач по себе сужу: освоить современную технику сегодня гораздо сложнее, но при доскональном её знании качество выполнения задач вырастает в разы. Новые системы и программы позволяют офицерам более оперативно принимать решения. Конечно, многие операции выполняются в автоматическом режиме, но чтобы техника работала точно и без сбоев, её должен настроить очень компетентный специалист. Для этого систематически и проводим специальные и технические занятия. - Владимир Николаевич! Чем вы как командир соединения гордитесь? - Два года назад перед нами была поставлена задача образовать новые воинские части с противоракетами на вооружении. Так вот, в течение этого времени мы её решили. Причём командирский состав этих частей - исключительно молодые офицеры: самому старшему 36 лет. Но они знают систему противоракетной обороны как «Отче наш». Сегодня приезжаешь к ним и понимаешь, что часть «заработала». Горжусь, что наша уникальная система противоракетной обороны работоспособна, не только сохраняет, но и за счёт модернизации увеличивает свои боевые возможности. А ещё я горжусь, что сегодня труд офицеров по-достоинству оценён, в материальном плане в том числе. Горжусь своими заместителями, командирами воинских частей, начальниками отделений и служб соединения - грамотными и подготовленными на уровне требований XXI века. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- На снимках: генерал-майор Владимир ЛЯПОРОВ; во время проведения особо ответственных работ .

milstar: Wozmznosti manewra w kosmose (odin iz primerow) МКС увернулась от 10-сантиметрового обломка российской ракеты . 29 сентября 2011 года 20:56 версия для печати Москва. 29 сентября. INTERFAX.RU - Международная космическая станция (МКС) осуществила маневр уклонения от опасно сближающегося с ней фрагмента ракеты-носителя "Циклон-3", сообщил "Интерфаксу-АВН" в четверг представитель подмосковного Центра управления полетами. "Двигатели российского модуля "Звезда" включились в 20:45 по московскому времени. По предварительным данным они проработали 169 секунд и увеличили скорость полета МКС на 2,7 м/с, а высоту ее орбиты - на 4,7 км", - сказал собеседник агентства. Смотрите оригинал материала на http://www.interfax.ru/society/news.asp?id=210064

milstar: TRADEX was one of the earlier radars to use pulse compression, utilizing a 50-мsec, 1-MHz linear frequency modulation, or “chirped,” transmit pulse to achieve high sensitivity, while achieving a range resolution of approximately two hundred meters. With an eighty-four-foot antenna and 2-MW peak power, the TRADEX L-band system achieved a single-pulse signal-to-noise ratio of 28 dB on a one-square-meter target at a range of a thousand kilometers, easily enough to detect warheads as they came over the Earth’s horizon in the vicinity of Hawaii. http://www.ll.mit.edu/publications/journal/pdf/vol12_no2/12_2ballisticmissiledefense.pdf

milstar: When the Laboratory assumed control of the TRADEX radar, the first change was to add a pulseburst waveform to provide improved range and Doppler measurements. The burst subpulses were 2-мsec chirps of 20-MHz bandwidth, providing range resolution of approximately fifteen meters and allowing the analysts to examine the amplitude and velocity spectrum of the wake as a function of distance behind the body. http://www.ll.mit.edu/publications/journal/pdf/vol12_no2/12_2ballisticmissiledefense.pdf

milstar: The S-band klystron, a derivative of the Missile Site Radar tube, had 250- MHz bandwidth and operated successfully at 4 MW and 120 kW. The tube is so conservatively designed that three of the four original tubes are still in use. All of the receiver, signal processing, and recording electronics were new. With a Sigma V computer, a powerful real-time computer for the time, the system achieved a remarkable level of flexibility. The S-band radar started with only two basic pulses, a 3-мsec, 60- MHz chirp, and a 9-мsec, 17.6-MHz chirp. The system design allowed the pulses to be used in many combinations, including trains, bursts, pairs, long pulse bursts, and frequency-jumped bursts, which provide a range resolution of one meter. The pulse scheduler allowed mixing many of these waveforms in a single 0.1-sec interval and changing the mix every 0.1 sec. The redesigned TRADEX system remained the workhorse for the development of discrimination techniques. In the 1970s everyone in the ballisticmissile- defense (BMD) community had a favorite discrimination waveform, and TRADEX tried them all. The TRADEX system to date has covered 545 ICBM missions, approximately a hundred experiments with interceptors and other locally launched vehicles, innumerable satellite tracks, orbital-debris data-gathering missions, and a host of other experiments, such as ionospheric-effects measurements, seaclutter characterization, and tectonic-plate movement. Clearly, ARPA’s vision of a continuously developing and improving research facility has been fully realized. http://www.ll.mit.edu/publications/journal/pdf/vol12_no2/12_2ballisticmissiledefense.pdf TRADEX L & S-Band Modification In 1970 the TRADEX radar was shut down for a major redesign. The UHF capability was removed, a new feed and additional channels were added to make it an L-band tracker, and an all-new S-band radar was added. The Missile Site Radar of the Nike-X ballisticmissile- defense system (which later became the SAFEGUARD system) operated at S-band,

milstar: http://www.davi.ws/skolnik/Skolnik_preface_contents.pdf

milstar: http://www.davi.ws/skolnik/Skolnik_chapter_3.pdf

milstar: Ракетная техника и артиллерия Система ПРО THAAD уничтожила баллистические ракеты воздушного и морского старта Терминальная высотная система ПРО THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) успешно завершила первый этап полномасштабных испытаний. Armed Forces International News сообщает, что эта система разработана таким образом, чтобы уничтожить одновременный удар нескольких баллистических ракет прямыми попаданиями кинетических перехватчиков без использования взрывчатых веществ. Во время последних испытаний первая противоракета уничтожила баллистическую ракету, запущенную с самолета, вторая осуществила перехват морской баллистической ракеты, подобную той, которая может быть запущена с подводной лодки. THAAD разрабатывается компанией Lockheed Martin с 1980-х годов, испытания проводятся на полигоне в Кауаи в Тихом океане. Противоракета оснащена системой наведения разработки британской компании ВАЕ, которая является подрядчиком программы. Планы первого боевого развертывания включают 24 перехватчика, во втором этапе их численность, как ожидается, будет вдвое больше. В сообщении Armed Forces International News указывается, что эта система ПРО будет использоваться для защиты союзников США от баллистических ракет. Вероятно, THAAD будет одним из элементов европейской системы ПРО, которая вызывает так много беспокойства со стороны России. По материалам articles.businessinsider.com 20.12.2011 Права на данный материал принадлежат Военный паритет Материал был размещен правообладателем в открытом доступе.

milstar: THAAD: Reach Out and Touch Ballistic Missiles May 10, 2011 15:15 EDT Related Stories: ABM, Americas - USA, BAE, Boeing, Contracts - Awards, FOCUS Articles, Lockheed Martin, New Systems Tech, R&D - Contracted, Radars, Raytheon http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/thaad-reach-out-and-touch-ballistic-missiles-updated-02924/ The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system is a long-range, land-based theater defense weapon that acts as the upper tier of a basic 2-tiered defense against ballistic missiles. It’s designed to intercept missiles during late mid-course or final stage flight, flying at high altitudes within and even outside the atmosphere. This allows it to provide broad area coverage against threats to critical assets such as population centers and industrial resources as well as military forces, hence its previous “theater (of operations) high altitude area defense” designation. This capability makes THAAD different from a Patriot PAC-3 or the future MEADS system, which are point defense options with limited range that are designed to hit a missile or warhead just before impact. The SM-3 Standard missile is a far better comparison, and land-based SM-3 programs will make it a direct THAAD competitor. Thus far, both programs remain underway… The THAAD System: Further Details The THAAD Program Contracts and Key Events [updated] Additional Readings & Sources The THAAD System: Further Details THAAD CONOPS Bubble THAAD operations concept (click to view full) An ideal multi-layered anti-ballistic missile system should have both land and naval options, as well as theater-level and point defenses backed by a 3rd tier of longer ranged midcourse-defense missiles (q.v. GBI) and/or space-based weapons that can hit the missile during its boost phase. THAAD is a land-based, theater-level, terminal phase defense. THAAD consists of 4 segments defined as (1) Missile round, (2) Launcher (3) Battle Management/Command, Control, Communications, and Intelligence – BM/C3I, and (4) Radar. The THAAD system can work in centralized mode, in a decentralized group, or fully autonomous launcher mode. THAAD is designed to be mobile on the ground, in order to react quickly to emerging threats and priorities. This also makes the system much more difficult to take out with preemptive attacks. A THAAD battery will typically operate 6 Oshkosh M1075 HEMTT-ALS launch vehicles, each carrying 8 missiles (TL 48), plus an automatic Load Handling System that lifts the missile packs onto the truck. That configuration could drop to 5 missiles per launch vehicle, if changes are made to more than double the missiles’ range. The rest of the system involves Raytheon’s AN/TPY-2 Ground-Based Radar (GBR), and the whole setup is run from 1 mobile Tactical Operations Center (TOC/TFFC) developed by Northrop Grumman and Raytheon, and currently mounted on reinforced Hummer ECVs with attached shelters. The lighter support trucks accompany it and are deployable in C-130 tactical transports, but the size of the HEMTT means that the full THAAD system requires C-17 Globemaster III or C-5 Galaxy aircraft for air transport. It can also be sent aboard ship, of course. THAAD GBR AN/TPY-2 (click to view full) The THAAD Ground-Based Radar (GBR), now known as the AN/TPY-2, is an X-Band, phased array, solid-state radar developed and built by Raytheon at its Andover, MA Integrated Air Defense Facility. The TPY-2 is employed for surveillance at ranges of up to 1,000 km (600 miles) as well as target identification and target tracking, thanks to its high power output and beam/waveform agility. Targeting information is uploaded to the missile immediately before launch, and continuously updated during the flight. The TPY-2 is deployed with THAAD, but it can also be used independently as part of an ABM infrastructure, and is steadily carving out a wider role beyond THAAD. In addition to the THAAD radar, Raytheon provides weapons systems engineering and Battle Management Command, Control, Communication, and Information (BMC3I) support for the THAAD program. The fire control software is a joint effort with Lockheed Martin. THAAD Missile Components Early Phase Early THAAD missiles (click to view full) Lockheed Martin’s THAAD missile is powered by a single stage solid-propellant rocket motor with thrust vectoring. After burnout, the booster is separated from the kill vehicle, which continues to the interception point. For exo-atmospheric (outside the atmosphere) maneuvering, the kill vehicle is equipped with a Boeing-developed liquid Divert and Attitude Control System. In the terminal intercept phase, the kill vehicle is guided by a BAE Systems staring focal plane array infrared seeker made with iridium antimonide, whose window is protected in the initial flight phase by a clamshell protection shroud. Once it reaches its target, the THAAD missile uses “hit to kill” technology, as opposed to blowing up a warhead nearby and sending clouds of shrapnel at a target to disable it. THAAD missiles have an estimated range of 125 miles/ 200 km, and can reach a maximum altitude of 93 miles/ 150 km. By comparison, the Patriot PAC-3 has an estimated range of 12 miles/ 20 km, while the Boeing-Israeli Arrow 2 has an estimated range of 54 miles/ 90 km and can reach a maximum altitude of 30 miles/ 50 km. The naval SM-3 Standard missile, chosen as the theater defense weapon for the US-Japan ABM research program, has an estimated 300 statute mile/ 500 km range, but is believed to have a lower altitude maximum than THAAD. There are proposals in the works to more than double THAAD’s range by adding a 21” diameter booster stage to the current 14.5” missile, turning it into a 2-stage weapon with increased velocity and maneuverability. Tests were undertaken in 2006, and Lockheed Martin submitted a funding proposal for the FY 2011 budget. The THAAD Program THAAD Launch Contrail Launch! (click to view full) THAAD has been around for a long time, and was originally envisaged as a system that could be fielded on an emergency contingency basis by 1999. Problems with the system have pushed that date back significantly, however, and initial fielding ended up being a decade late. Between April 1995 and August 1999, there were a total of 11 THAAD flight tests that validated propulsion and seeker systems, and even attempted missile interceptions. The first attempt occurred during the 4th flight on December 13, 1995, but tests 4-9 all failed for mechanical/quality reasons and the first successful intercept did not occur before the 10th flight (FT-10) on June, 10 1999. See this CDI table for further details. In response, notes GlobalSecurity.org: “Studies done by the military and independent sources cited the following problems in the Theater High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Program: First, the program’s compressed flight-test schedule did not allow for adequate ground testing, and officials could not spot problems before flight tests. The schedule also left too little time for preflight testing, postflight analysis, and corrective measures. Second, the requirement that an early prototype system be deployed quickly has diverted attention from the normal interceptor development process and resulted in interceptors that were not equipped with sufficient instruments to provide optimum test data. Third, quality assurance received too little emphasis and resources during component production, resulting in unreliable components. Fourth, the contract to develop the interceptor was a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract, which placed all of the financial risk on the government and did not hold the contractor accountable for less than optimum performance.” The most common opponent for the THAAD in tests is the Hera, which marries the 2nd and 3rd stages of the Minuteman II ICBM, with the guidance section of the exceptionally accurate Pershing II medium range ballistic missile. THAAD Test Launch THAAD test launch (click to view full) THAAD recorded one more more positive test (FT-11) in August 1999. There were no further flight tests before June 2000, when Lockheed Martin received a $3.97 billion Engineering and Manufacturing Development contract. Testing would eventually resume in November 2005. It was conducted cautiously, and went well. In December 2006, Lockheed Martin received a $619.2 million contract for initial THAAD fire units that could be usable in an emergency. The expected fielding date was 2008-2009, fully 10 years after initial hopes for this capability. In FY 2011, that initial fielding will have been fully achieved. Recent budget figures for THAAD have included: FY 2009: $855.4 million ($750.7M RDT&E, $104.7M procurement) FY 2010: $1.11 billion ($690.1M RDT&E, $419M procurement incl. 26 missiles). 50 missiles bought so far: 2 test + 48 production. FY 2011 request: $1.3 billion ($436.5M RDT&E, $858.9M procurement, incl. 67 missiles) FY 2012 request: $1.17 billion ($290.5M RDT&E, $833.2M procurement, incl. 68 missiles; $51M operations & maintenance) The 2011 request would complete initial fielding to the Army of 2 Batteries at Fort Bliss, TX, and bring 50 existing Interceptors up to full operational standard. It will continue the purchase of THAAD battery 3, and adds the purchase of Batteries 4 and 5, while increasing missile manufacturing capability from 3 to 4 missiles per month. The FY 2012 request would complete fielding for the initial 2 Batteries at Fort Bliss, TX. It would continue the unit training program, the purchase of Batteries 3-5; and planning, development, and analysis of THAAD Launch on Network, which would let commanders engage and fire based on information provided by sensors outside of the THAAD Battery. The funding would also increase THAAD missile manufacturing capability from 4 to 6 missiles per month. FY 2012 flight testing will be done at at Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific, to allow engagement of longer range targets. The Pentagon currently plans to order 68 THAAD missiles in 2012, and 72 each from 2013-2015. The US Army is eventually expected to acquire 80-100 THAAD launchers, 18 ground-based radars, and a total of 1,422 THAAD missiles. Two THAAD battalions are planned, each with 4 batteries. The system was expected to enter low-rate production in 2007, to support Initial Operating Capability (IOC) in 2009 as the upper-tier complement to the Patriot PAC-3 in the Army’s TBMD (Theater Ballistic Missile Defense) system. Unfortunately, technical issues forced real initial capability back to 2011-2012. In September 2008, the UAE has also requested permission to buy 9 THAAD launchers and associated radars and communications equipment, 147 missiles, et. al., in order to field 3 THAAD fire units. If a contract is signed and agreed, THAAD’s role in the UAE would mirror its role n the USA, alongside the Patriot PAC-3 as the UAE’s lower-tier ABM-capable complement. Contracts and Key Events ABM_THAAD_Systems.jpg THAAD components (click to view full) Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor for the THAAD system, and the US Missile Defense Agency in Huntsville, AL manages the contracts. AN/TPY-2 radar contracts will also be covered here for now, as a system that’s usually – but not always – associated with THAAD. Dec 30/11: Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems in Woburn, MA receives a sole-source, maximum $363.9 million letter contract for 2 AN/TPY-2 radars. The contract will be finalized later. Work will be performed in Woburn, MA, and the period of performance is Dec 30/11 through March 30/15 (HQ0147-12-C-0006). Dec 30/11: UAE THAAD. A series of contracts kick off the UAE’s THAAD deal (q.v. Sept 9/08 entry), which is estimated at $3.48 billion. It’s the 1st export sale for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system. Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co. in Sunnyvale, CA receives a sole-source letter contract at a total not-to-exceed price of $1.96 billion to supply the United Arab Emirates with 2 full THAAD Systems, and provide support services. Work will be managed in Sunnyvale, CA, with final assembly performed in Troy, AL. Performance extends from Dec 30/11 through June 30/16. The US Missile Defense Agency in Huntsville, AL manages the contract, on behalf of its FMS client. Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems in Woburn, MA receives a sole-source letter contract, with a not-to-exceed value of $582.5 million, as an undefinitized contract action (UCA) to provide 2 AN/TPY-2 radars to the United Arab Emirates. Work will be performed in Woburn, MA, and the period of performance is Dec 30/11 through Sept 30/18. This contract will be finalized in June 2012. The US Missile Defense Agency in Huntsville, AL manages the contract, on behalf of its FMS client (HQ0147-12-C-0005). See also Bloomberg | AP | Reuters | Voice of America. Nov 1/11: The US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) awards Raytheon IDS of Woburn, MA a maximum $307.6 million indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. Under this new contract, Raytheon will maintain software required to operate “the X-band family of radars,” and perform and Ballistic Missile Defense System test planning, execution and analysis. Discussions with Raytheon personnel confirmed that the funding applies to the XBR radar on the SBX naval platform, as well as their AN/TPY-2 radars (THAAD, European missile defense, deployed in Israel & Japan), and a “Ground Based Radar Prototype” that they’re working on as a technology demonstrator. Work will be performed in Woburn, MA from Nov 1/11 through Oct 31/13, and the MDA’s FY 2012 research, development, test and evaluation funds will be used to fund initial orders. The MDA at Redstone Arsenal, AL manages the contract (HQ0147-12-D-0005).

milstar: May 9/11: Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co. in Sunnyvale, CA receives a $60 million fixed-price-incentive, firm target contract modification to deliver 6 HEMMT transporters, 6 missile round pallets, and associated spares to support THAAD batteries 3 & 4. This order raises the total contract value to date to $1.64 billion. Work will be managed in Sunnyvale, CA, with final assembly performed in Troy, AL; the performance period is extended from April 2011 to August 2013. $60 million in FY 2010 procurement funds will be used to fund this contract modification in its entirety (HQ0147-07-C-0196, #P00054). April 7/11: Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems in Woburn, MA receives a $14 million sole-source cost-plus-fixed-fee contract modification to maintain and improve the AN/TPY-2 radar’s software. Work will be performed in Woburn, MA from April 2011 through June 2011, and $4 million in FY 2011 research, development, test and evaluation funds will be used to incrementally fund this effort. This award beings total contract awards so far (HQ0006-03-C-0047) to $1.936 billion. April 7/11: NGAM Phase 1. The US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) announces a trio of Phase 1 cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts to Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Raytheon to work on the Next Generation AEGIS Missile/ SM-3 Block IIB. The firms will perform concept definition and program planning for their offerings, and the competition will winnow down as the MDA picks which concept(s) to develop further. Lockheed Martin Corp. in Bethesda, MD wins a $43.3 million contract, which could allow the firm to build on previous talk of expanding THAAD to the same 21” diameter as SM-3 Block II missiles, in order to increase its speed and range. March 24/11: The US GAO issues report #GAO-11-372: “Missile Defense: Actions Needed to Improve Transparency and Accountability.” Key excerpts: “However, the agency was unable to meet all of its goals for Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, a system used to defend against targets in their last phases of flight…. MDA finalized a new process in which detailed baselines were set for several missile defense systems…. [but] GAO found its unit and life-cycle cost baselines had unexplained inconsistencies and documentation for six baselines had insufficient evidence to be a high-quality cost estimate…. GAO makes 10 recommendations for MDA to strengthen its resource, schedule and test baselines, facilitate baseline reviews, and further improve transparency and accountability. GAO is also making a recommendation to improve MDA’s ability to carry out its test plan. In response, DOD fully concurred with 7 recommendations. It partially concurred with 3….” March 18/11: A $695 million fixed-price incentive and cost-plus-fixed-fee contract modification for 48 interceptors, 6 launchers, 4 fire control units, and other ground equipment required to support THAAD batteries 3 & 4. $144.8 million in FY 2010 procurement funds are added to $119.2 million in FY 2010 funds used for the initial allocation (TL: $264 million), then another $430.9 million in FY 2011 funds will be used, for the $695 million grand total. This finalizes the Sept 15/10 contract. A $94.8 million option for additional launchers could bring the total to $789.8 million. Work will be managed in Sunnyvale, CA, with final assembly performed in Troy, AL through December 2013 (HQ0147-07-C-0196). See also Lockheed Martin. Feb 20/11: Reuters quotes Lockheed Martin VP of International Air & Missile Defence Strategic Initiatives Dennis Cavin, who says that “We are very close to finalising documentation necessary to have a successful [THAAD contract] for the UAE. This spring, the U.S. government will make an announcement…” That announcement is expected to be a government-to-government deal worth up to $7 billion [vid. Sept 9/08 entry], making the UAE THAAD’s 1st export customer. The US government is expected to send a letter of agreement in the next few months, after which the UAE could start negotiations with contractors on production schedules, and support agreements with Lockheed and Raytheon. Feb 18/11: A sole-source $8.9 million cost-plus-incentive-fee contract modification to Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems in Woburn, MA. Raytheon will perform superdome obsolescence redesign, including system enhancements, technological improvements, and new products supporting “the X-band radars.” Work will be performed in Woburn, MA from February 2011 through June 2011, and $2.5 million in FY 2011 Research, Development, Test and Evaluation funds will be used to incrementally fund this effort (HQ0006-03-C-0047, HQ0147). Nov 10/10: A sole-source $25.2 million cost-plus-incentive-fee contract modification to Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems in Woburn, MA, to refurbish AN/TPY-2 radar #4. Work will be performed in Woburn, MA through August 2011, funded by FY 2010 – 2011 Research, Development, Test & Evaluation funds (HQ0006-03-C-0047). Oct 4/10: An $18 million contract modification to Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co. in Sunnyvale, CA, who will begin manufacturing 49 “redesigned mid-body heat shields for incorporation into THAAD interceptors” on mid-body substrate assemblies. Asked for details, a Lockheed Martin spokesperson said that this wasn’t an immediate concern, but: “The redesign will eliminate microcracking which was identified during ground testing as a potential risk over a long period of time. This contract implements the heat shields on the 49 interceptors now in production. Lockheed Martin remains focused on ensuring THAAD is reliable, affordable and effective.” Work will be managed by LMSSC in Sunnyvale, CA, with final assembly performed at Lockheed Martin’s Pike County Operations interceptor production facility in Troy, AL. Work is projected through February 2012 (HQ0147-07-C-0196). THAAD on HEMTT Test launch (click to view full) Sept 24/10: A sole-source fixed-price-incentive-fee modification to Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems in Woburn, MA for AN/TPY-2 radar #8. The target price is $189.8 million. Work will take place from September 2010 through October 2012, and FY 2010 procurement funds will be used to fund it (HQ0006-03-C-0047). Raytheon’s release adds that the firm delivered the 7th radar earlier in 2010, on cost and ahead of schedule. Sept 15/10: A not to exceed $298 million contract modification to Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co. (LMSSC) in Sunnyvale, CA to manufacture and deliver 26 THAAD interceptor missiles, representing the first lot buy of interceptors in support of the Battery 3 and 4 procurement (total of 48 missiles). the remainder of Battery 3 & 4’s missiles will be ordered in a future production lot. Aviation Week confirms that Pentagon procurement chief Ashton Carter has approved THAAD production. The 48 missiles to equip Batteries 1 & 2 can now have optical block switches integrated, moving their delivery date from June 2010 to May 2012. A production interceptor will be flight tested with the optical block switch in spring 2011. Work will be managed in Sunnyvale, CA, with final assembly performed at Lockheed Martin’s Pike County Operations in Troy, AL, and will continue through June 2013 (HQ0147-07-C-0196). Looks like the optical block switch problems are resolved. Sept 1/10: A $22.6 million sole-source cost-plus-award-fee contract modification to Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems in Woburn, MA will continue support services for the AN/TPY-2 radar’s flight and ground testing. Work will be performed in Woburn, MA from September 2010 through June 2011. $1,443,793 in FY 2010 research, development, test and evaluation funds will be used to incrementally fund this effort (HQ0006-03-C-0047). Aug 24/10: Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems in Woburn, MA received a sole-source contract modification for $43 million continue software maintenance in support of the AN/TYP-2 radar. The modification includes both fixed-price and cost-plus-award-fee line items, and work will be performed in Woburn, MA. The performance period is through March 2011. FY 2010 & 2011 Research, Development, Test and Evaluation funds will be used, and the US Missile Defense Agency manages the contract (HQ0006-03-C-0047). See also Raytheon release. Aug 17/10: Reuters reports that the problems with Moog’s optical block switch have frozen a pending $419 million production contract for 26 missiles. As the issue drags on, Lockheed Martin has offered to take financial responsibility for costs related to any further production delays. The firm reportedly has a solution that could get clearance in September, with interceptor missile deliveries beginning again by the end of 2010. Army Lieutenant General Patrick O’Reilly adds that the Missile Defense Agency is eyeing potential competitive bids worth as much as $37 billion over the next 5 years, as it moves away from sole-source contracts. That could prove difficult when it comes to proprietary technologies like missiles, unless it’s a harbinger of more competition between missile types. With the advent of land-based SM-3s from Raytheon, that’s a very real possibility for THAAD. Reuters. July 29/10: Bloomberg News reports that a combination of newly-added requirements and sub-contractor issue will delay delivery of the first 24 THAAD missiles by up to a year, and may delay the 2nd batch of 24 by 10 months or more. Lockheed Missiles and Fire Control was supposed to hand over the first THAAD missiles by Sept 30/10, but that is now expected to happen only by 2011. The next lot of 24 is due by June 2011, but may not arrive until April 2012. The problem has several causes. In the middle of flight testing, the US Missile Defense Agency decided it wanted a safety switch to prevent accidental launches. Moog, Inc. in East Aurora, NY was the subcontractor, but its switches failed testing. The result is a set of missiles waiting for a final critical part that wasn’t in the initial specifications, a contractor who can’t finalize delivery, and an initial American THAAD battery at Fort Bliss, TX who is restricted to training. Moog reportedly shut down its production line from March to May 2010 to fix the design, and delivered the first improved switch for testing in July 2010. Lockheed Martin also stepped in, assigning engineers to oversee all design and manufacturing process improvements at Moog. July 29/10: A THAAD system successfully intercepts its target during a low-endo-atmospheric MDA test at the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Hawaii. Soldiers of the 6th Air Defense Artillery Brigade of Fort Bliss, Texas, conducted launcher, fire control and radar operations, and were not informed of the exact launch time for the unitary missile target. The AN/TPY-2 radar, achieved all test objectives: acquiring the target, discriminating the lethal object, providing track and discrimination data to the fire control, and communicating with the in-flight THAAD interceptor. The fire control software, jointly developed by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, also performed successfully. This was the 7th successful intercept in 7 attempts for the operationally-configured THAAD system.

milstar: Several missile defense assets and emerging technologies observed the launch and gathered data for future analysis. Participants included the Command and Control, Battle Management and Communications (C2BMC) system, and elements of the U.S. Army’s PATRIOT system which conducted engagement coordination with THAAD, and conducted upper tier debris mitigation exercises during the intercept engagement. US MDA: release | MDA photos and video | Raytheon. June 30/10: Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co. in Sunnyvale, CA receives a $67 million “obsolescence mitigation” contract for THAAD system electronics. If a 6 year old computer is ancient, what kinds of performance and supplier issues would you expect for a program that began in the late 1990s? This sole-source, cost-plus-fixed-fee modification will cover obsolescence mitigation efforts for THAAD defense batteries 3 and 4, including completion of ongoing FY 2009 obsolescence efforts, and similar work required to support FY 2010 buys. Efforts will also include qualification of identified replacement components, required software updates to accommodate those new components, offering a test environment, and regression testing for the changes. Work will be performed in Sunnyvale, CA from June 2010 through March 2011. FY 2010 procurement funds will be used to commit $27.8 million for this effort (HQ0147-07-C-0196). June 29/10: Endoatmospheric THAAD intercept test successful. A THAAD interceptor missile intercepts an incoming target missile at the lowest altitude to date, in a test off of Hawaii that was to simulate an endoatmospheric (inside the atmosphere), short range ballistic missile. This kind of scenario is more difficult than it appears; Lockheed Martin describes it as a “highly stressing angle,” due to the density and friction that a very high speed object encounters in the atmosphere. Soldiers of the 6th Air Defense Artillery Brigade of Fort Bliss, Texas, conducted launcher, fire control and radar operations during this test, using tactics, techniques, and procedures developed by the U.S. Army Air Defense School. Test personnel also used the Simulation-Over-Live Driver (SOLD) software system to inject multiple simulated threat scenarios into the THAAD radar, in order to simulate performance against a mass salvo. Other participants included the Command and Control, Battle Management and Communications (C2BMC) system, and elements of the U.S. Army’s PATRIOT system. According to the US MDA, “Preliminary indications are that planned flight test objectives were achieved.” This makes the fully up to date, “operationally configured” THAAD system 7/7 in intercept tests so far (11 total tests so far since 2005). US MDA | Photos & Video | Lockheed Martin. April 1/10: Lockheed Martin Corporation of Sunnyvale, CA received a 5-year, sole-source, indefinite delivery/ indefinite quantity THAAD Field Support Contract, with a ceiling value of $434.7 million. Lockheed Martin will provide logistics, maintenance, software, training, and engineering services to fielded THAAD fire units through March 2015. Work will be carried out in Sunnyvale, CA; Huntsville, AL; and Fort Bliss, TX. Fiscal year (FY) 2010 Research, Development, Test and Evaluation funds will be utilized for Task Orders issued in FY 2010 (HQ0147-10-D-0001). See also Lockheed Martin release. March 30/10: The US GAO audit office delivers its 8th annual “Defense Acquisitions: Assessments of Selected Weapon Programs report. Its assessment of THAAD is mostly positive: “The program’s critical technologies are mature and its design appears stable. However, it is still qualifying components and conducting flight tests, so additional design work may be necessary. Target issues continue to affect the program as it was unable to conduct two planned fiscal year 2009 flight tests or its first fiscal year 2010 flight test because of target issues. Although one successful intercept test during fiscal year 2009 could not demonstrate a major knowledge point because of target availability, as THAAD’s first developmental and operational test it demonstrated THAAD’s ability to launch two interceptors against a single target. The program is on schedule to deliver two THAAD batteries to the Army in 2010 and 2011.” ....[due to problems with the target missiles it intercepts] The program will not attempt a medium-range ballistic missile intercept until fiscal year 2011 – nearly 3 years later than planned. In its fiscal year 2010 budget, DOD requested procurement funding for THAAD for the first time. DOD requested $420 million in procurement funding to buy interceptors, launchers, and a fire control and communication system for a future THAAD battery, as well as to procure tooling and equipment to increase THAAD interceptor production capacity. Program officials told us that they plan to award a procurement contract for a future THAAD battery by the end of fiscal year 2010. These batteries will be fully funded using procurement funds [rather than] incrementally funded using research, development, test and evaluation funds as authorized by Congress.” March 26/10: Walbridge in Detroit, MI won a $40.7 million firm-fixed-price contract to design & build 3 tactical equipment maintenance facilities (TEMFS) at 3 close but separate sites in Fort Bliss, TX. Supported projects will include a sustainment bridge, a Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated Netted Sensor System (JLENS) aerostat battery, and a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile battery. Each TEMFS will provide a complex with repair and maintenance bays, equipment and parts storage, administrative offices, secure vaults, oil storage buildings, hazardous material storage, and other supporting facilities such as organizational storage buildings. Work is to be performed in Fort Bliss, TX, with an estimated completion date of Dec 30/11. Bids were solicited via World Wide Web, with 4 bids received. March 16/10: Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems of Woburn, MA receives a $17.4 million sole-source contract modification that includes both fixed-price and cost-plus-award-fee line items. Under this contract modification, Raytheon will continue Phase II of concurrent test, training, and operations support unit integration for AN/TYP-2 X-Band radar. Work will be performed in Woburn, MA through November 2010. Fiscal year 2010 research, development, test and evaluation funds will be used for this effort (HQ0006-03-C-0047). Oct 16/09: The U.S. Army activates its 2nd THAAD battery during a ceremony at Fort Bliss, TX. It’s the 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command’s 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, A Battery of 2nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment. US MDA [PDF]. Sept 17/09: The Obama administration announces revised plans for its European missile defense architecture. Instead of positioning Boeing’s GMD and Ground-Based Interceptors at silos in Poland and/or the Czech Republic, which could intercept even the longest-range ballistic missiles, they choose an architecture based around Raytheon’s SM-3, at sea and on land. Gen. Cartwright does say that the US military will deploy a THAAD battery to Europe in 2009, as part of operational testing, and will continue to roll out the system as the Army’s wide-area air defense system. Its AN/TPY-2 radar is certainly secure, as it appears to be set as the land-based radar for SM-3s as well. Whether THAAD would remain secure in a significant budget crunch, or be “rationalized” away in favor of planned SM-3 deployments that offer much less mobility but much longer range, remains to be seen. Read “Land-Based SM-3s for Israel – and Others” for more. Aug 17/09: Aviation Week reports that the USA is examining a number of possible changes to THAAD. The most significant change would add a 21” booster and turn THAAD into a 2-stage weapon that could offer 3-4 times the existing system coverage (i.e. about 1.75 – 2 times existing range). That size would match the Navy’s planned SM-3 Block II missiles, and would force a redesign of the THAAD launcher to handle 5 of the new 21” missiles instead of 8 of the current 14.5” missiles. The report quotes the US MDA’s THAAD project manager, U.S. Army Col. William Lamb, who says the’re reviewing a concept from Lockheed Martin for possible inclusion in the Fiscal 2011 budget. Lockheed Martin Vice President Tom McGrath is quoted as saying that THAAD rocket motor manufacturer Aerojet conducted static-fire trials of a 21” prototype and a second “kick stage” in 2006, as part of a privately funded R&D effort. The news comes just before Raytheon announces their intent to develop a land-based variant of their naval SM-3 missile that will work with their AN/TPY-2 radar, and Boeing proposed a mobile version of their even longer-range GMD interceptors for use in Europe. July 9/09: Raytheon announces successful integration and acceptance testing the AN/TPY-2 X-band radar’s Prime Power Unit (PPU), a trailer-mounted 1.3 megawatt Generator Set. Following this success at White Sands Missile Range, NM, the PPU will undergo extensive user evaluations as the next stage in its fielding process. June 29/09: The US Missile Defense Agency uses a routine flight test of the USA’s nuclear ICBM rockets to save money, by conducting some tests on the other end. After the Glory Trip 199 missile launched from Vandenberg AFB, CA to ensure that all Minuteman elements continue to work properly, the MDA used it to test the AN/TPY-2 in Forward Base Mode, the Upgraded BMEWS Early Warning Radar at Beale AFB, CA, and items from its External Sensors Laboratory. Data collected during the exercise will be used to improve sensor capabilities and as risk reduction for future BMDS tests. MDA release [PDF] Apr 13/09: Lockheed Martin officially rolls out the first THAAD ground segment vehicles to come off the production line in Camden, AR. The THAAD Weapon System launcher and the Fire Control and Communications unit will be delivered to Soldiers at Fort Bliss, TX, which is expected to have a fully operational THAAD battery of equipment and personnel by the end of 2009. April 6/09: THAAD comes out a winner in Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates’ proposed FY 2010 budget. While other missile defense programs are being cut, Gates proposes to spend $700 million to field naval SM-3 and land-based THAAD missiles. Presidential and Congressional approval are still required, before the final funding totals can become a reality. March 18/09: A THAAD missile completes a successful intercept of a ballistic missile target during a test at the Pacific Missile Range Facility off the Hawaiian island of Kauai. Soldiers of the US Army’s 6th Air Defense Artillery Brigade conducted launcher, fire control and radar operations, using tactics, techniques and procedures developed by the U.S. Army Air Defense School. MDA release [PDF] THAAD engagement A THAAD Engagement (click to view full) Sept 17/08: The US Missile Defense Agency has to cancel a THAAD test when the target missile malfunctions, leaving the THAAD system nothing to intercept within the Pacific Missile Range Facility’s designated “safe area” off of Kauai. Interception outside of that safe area would certainly be possible, but might not be appreciated by any ship, aircraft, or other traffic that found itself under the falling debris. MDA release [PDF]. Sept 9/08: The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency announces [PDF] the United Arab Emirates’ request for 3 Terminal High Altitude Air Defense (THAAD) Fire Units with 147 THAAD anti-ballistic missiles, 4 THAAD Radar Sets (3 tactical and one maintenance float), 6 THAAD Fire and Control Communication stations, and 9 THAAD Launchers. This would represent the first foreign sale of the THAAD system. The UAE is also requesting fire unit maintenance equipment, the heavy trucks that carry the THAAD components, generators, electrical power units, trailers, communications equipment, tools, test and maintenance equipment, repair and return, system integration and checkout, spare/repair parts, publications, documentation, personnel training, training equipment, contractor technical and logistics personnel services, and other related support elements. The estimated cost is $6.95 billion. The principal contractor is Lockheed Martin Space Systems Corporation in Sunnyvale, CA (THAAD), and the sub-contractor is Raytheon Corporation in Andover, MA (radar). The UAE will be requesting industrial offsets, which will be negotiated with these contractors. On the other hand, the UAE “does not desire a government support presence in its country on an extended basis.” A total of 66 contractor logistic support personnel could be stationed in United Arab Emirates for extended periods, and additional training and major defense equipment personnel may be in the United Arab Emirates for short periods of time, not to exceed 24 months. Sept 8/08: Reuters reports that the UAE is about to make an official request for THAAD theater-level ABM interceptors, and associated systems. If the request goes through, the sale could be worth up to $7 billion. June 25/08: A successful THAAD test involving a separating target (mock warhead separated from the booster rockets) inside the earth’s atmosphere. The target was launched from a U.S. Air Force C-17 aircraft flying over the Pacific Ocean, and about 6 minutes later the interceptor missile was launched from a mobile THAAD launcher on the range facility. This was the 29th of 30 successful tests conducted since September 2005, of which 6 have been intercept tests. The primary objective of this intercept test was to demonstrate target acquisition, tracking and aimpoint selection by the avionics software contained in the THAAD interceptor, and to intercept a separating target. Secondary objectives included observing launch effects on the THAAD vehicle, and verifying soldier performance in the system’s semiautomatic mode using current tactics, techniques and procedures developed by the US Army Air Defense School. The U.S. Navy cruiser USS Lake Erie [CG-70] also received a tracking cue from THAAD, and used its SPY-1 radar to successfully track the target and conduct a simulated SM-3 missile launch to engage the target. MDA release [PDF] | Video [Windows Media]. June 13/08: A non-firing test involves THAAD TPY-2 X-band radars in conjunction with the SPY-1 Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) system aboard the USS Lake Erie [CG 70], as 2 medium-range target missiles are launched near-simultaneously from the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) at Barking Sands, Hawaii. Lake Erie’s crew used their own radars, and also received data from 2 THAAD radars at PMRF via secure links. All equipment performed as designed, and the cruiser was able to get launch solutions on both targets. MDA release [PDF]. May 28/08: The U.S. Army activates Alpha Battery/4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, 32nd Army Air & Missile Defense Command as the first THAAD battery, in a ceremony at Fort Bliss, TX. The battery will receive 24 THAAD interceptors, 3 THAAD launchers, a THAAD Fire Control and a THAAD radar as part of the initial fielding. That will be backed by support from the Battery Support Center and Integrated Contractor Support System, as well as the necessary spares for a fielded unit. Unit training began in April 2008, in preparation for full-system fielding beginning in 2009. Dec 17/07: A THAAD test battery is a participant in the first shoot-down of a ballistic missile by a ship of the Japanese Navy, receiving data from the USS Lake Erie [CG 70] and participating in tracking. Read “Japanese Destroyer JS Kongo Intercepts Ballistic Missile” for full details. Nov 15/07: Lockheed announces that the THAAD program received Aviation Week’s 2007 Program Excellence Award for Research and Systems Design and Development. The program was praised for best practices including systems engineering, a process of “test as you fly, fly as you test”; and the application of pit-stop technology used in car racing to reduce maintenance, diagnostic, and repair times to seconds.

milstar: Oct 27/07: At 3:15 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time, a THAAD missile succeeded in the exo-atmospheric destruction of a non-separating target representing a SCUD-type ballistic missile, which was launched from a mobile platform positioned off Kauai in the Pacific Ocean. The interceptor was launched from the THAAD launch complex at the Pacific Missile Range Facility. This was the 4th successful intercept for the current THAAD program over the last 4 tests, and the 3rd test of the THAAD system at Pacific Missile Range Facility. The primary objective of this test was to demonstrate integrated operations of the system, including radar, launcher, fire control equipment and procedures, and the interceptor’s ability to detect, track and destroy the target missile using only the force of a direct collision. Other objectives included demonstrating performance of an interceptor that had been “hot conditioned,” or heated to a certain temperature before launching; and demonstrating the ability of the interceptor to perform correctly in the final seconds before target intercept. Soldiers of the 6th Air Defense Artillery Brigade stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas operated all THAAD equipment during all tests, conducting operations of the launcher, fire control and communications and radar. MDA release [PDF] | Lockheed Martin release | Raytheon release re: radar | BAE release re: IR tracking Aug 22/07: Lockheed announces that it has selected its manufacturing facility in Camden, AR, to build the THAAD launcher and Fire Control and Communications (TFCC) unit. The Camden plant already produces MLRS/HIMARS 227mm battlefield artillery rockets, and the Patriot PAC-3 missile. Initially, 35 new jobs will be created to support the program with production taking place in the 200,000 square-foot Launcher Integration Complex. Camden Operations currently has an employment population of 450. Employment at the facility could grow to more than 500 by 2010. Lockheed Martin release. Aug 6/07: Jane’s Defence Weekly: “Israel is leaning towards upgrading its own anti-ballistic missile Arrow Weapon System (AWS) rather than acquiring the US Theatre High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) system. While no formal decision has yet been taken, Jane’s has learned that officials from the Israel Ballistic Missile Defence Organisation (BMDO) have informed the US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) about potential complications with integrating THAAD into the country’s missile-defence alignment.” July 11/07: Raytheon announces a $304 million contract from the US Missile Defense Agency to develop advanced tracking and discrimination capabilities for the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) forward based AN/TPY-2 radar. As noted above, the TPY-2 is also the THAAD system’s component radar. Under the contract, Raytheon is responsible for the development and test of radar software, various engineering tasks, maintenance and support, infrastructure upgrades, and deployment mission planning. Work will be performed at the company’s Missile Defense Center in Woburn, MA and the Warfighter Protection Center in Huntsville, AL. The first forward-based capability spiral was released on schedule in October 2006 and is operational. Raytheon IDS is developing the second forward-based capability spiral, with release planned in early 2008. As the prime contractor for this program, Raytheon IDS has delivered the first 2 of 5 planned AN/TPY-2 radars to the Missile Defense Agency. The first radar, delivered in November 2004, is currently deployed in Japan. The second AN/TPY-2 radar recently completed acceptance testing at Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA. Raytheon is also responsible for whole-life engineering support for AN/TPY-2 radars under a contract awarded in June 2005. Raytheon release. July 11/07: BAE Systems announces a $62.3 million contract from Lockheed Martin to begin production of the THAAD Interceptor’s infrared seeker. Assembly, integration, and testing of production equipment will take place at BAE Systems facilities in Nashua, NH; Lexington, MA; and Johnson City, NY. BAE Systems began work on seekers for missile defense in the late 1970s and achieved the first hit-to-kill intercept of a ballistic missile target in 1984. The company started work on the THAAD seeker demonstration and validation contract in 1991 and achieved two hit-to-kill intercepts in 1999. The seeker development program was begun in 2000, and is scheduled to conclude in 2007. June 26/07: The US Missile Defense Agency announces a successful THAAD test flight entirely inside the low atmosphere, which features higher pressures and friction heating. This was the lowest altitude fly-out of a THAAD interceptor to date, and was strictly an aerodynamics & durability test. All test objectives were met, including interceptor launch, booster and kill vehicle separation, shroud separation in a low endo-flight environment, kill vehicle control, and evaluation of the heating effects on the interceptor mid-body. When used in “low endo-atmospheric” mode like this, THAAD can serve as a 3rd layer between the mobile ground-based Patriot PAC-3 or MEADS system, and the longer range AEGIS BMD/Standard Missile-3 sea-based missile defense. This was the last planned missile test at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico; all future tests will take place at the Pacific Missile Range Facility near Kauai, Hawaii. MDA release [PDF format] | Lockheed release. June 26/07: Raytheon announces completion of all factory acceptance testing on its 2nd THAAD radar, which was shipped ahead of schedule and under budget to the Missile Defense Agency at White Sands Missile Range, NM, for final testing and acceptance. Raytheon release. June 22/07: Missile defense Flight Test Maritime-12 took place, launching an SM-3 Block 1A missile from the destroyer USS Decatur [DDG 73]. The Spanish Navy’s Alvaro de Bazan Class AEGIS frigate Mendez Nunez [F-104] also participated in the test “as a training event to assess the future capabilities of the F-100 Class.” So, too, did the US Navy’s Ticonderoga Class AEGIS cruiser USS Port Royal [CG 73], which successfully used its SPY-1B radar augmented by a prototype AEGIS BMD Signal Processor (BSP) to detect and track the separating warhead in real time, and to tell the difference between the simulated warhead and the rest of the missile. The final variant of that processor is expected to be deployed in 2010. USS Port Royal also exchanged tracking data with a ground-based Terminal High Altitude Air Defense (THAAD) system ashore, in order to verify compatibility. Video from the test | US MDA release [PDF] | http://www.raytheon.com/feature/flight_mission6-07/”>Raytheon release | Boeing release | Lockheed Martin release. April 5/07: THAAD was successful in the second integrated flight test conducted by the US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) at the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Hawaii. The test resulted in the successful intercept of a “mid-endoatmospheric” (inside Earth’s atmosphere) unitary (non-separating) target over the Pacific Ocean and demonstrated fully integrated radar, launcher, fire control, missile and engagement functions of the THAAD weapon system. This was the first THAAD interceptor mission that was considered a Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) test, meaning that more than one element of the defensive system participated. Successful beyond-line-of-sight communications with a U.S. Navy AEGIS sensor, as well as communications links with the Command, Control, Battle Management and Communications (C2BMC) system and the U.S. Air Force Space-Based Infrared Sensors (SBIRS) system, were both part of the test. In addition, soldiers of the U.S. Army’s 6th Air Defense Artillery Brigade stationed at Fort Bliss, TX operated all THAAD equipment including the launcher, fire control, communications, and radar. Other flight test objectives included demonstrating successful missile launch from the PMRF launch site; interceptor “kill vehicle” target identification, object discrimination and intercept; collection of data and hit assessment algorithms; and evaluation of the missile launching procedures and equipment. While post-test analysis will take place over several weeks, MDA reports that initial indications are that the test objectives were achieved. This was the 26th successful “hit to kill” intercept for elements of the Ballistic Missile Defense System since 2001, and the 3rd successful THAAD intercept in the current program phase. MDA release [PDF format]. BAE release | Raytheon release. March 5/07: March 5/07: A THAAD radar test involves the launch of a short-range target missile from a C-17A aircraft over the Pacific Ocean, which deploys by parachute before its rocket motor ignites. The missile was launched at approximately 2:30 p.m. Hawaii Time (7:30 p.m. EST) approximately 400 miles west of the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai, Hawaii, and its flight was successfully tracked by the ground based X-band radar, now known as the AN/TPY-2 (Army Navy/Transportable Radar Surveillance). Preliminary indications are that all radar data collection objectives were met. The MDA release [PDF] says that “air-launched targets provide the capability to structure target missile trajectories during flight tests so that they are able to better replicate potential trajectories hostile ballistic missiles could use during an attack of our homeland, our deployed forces and our allies and friends.” A C-17 gives off a large radar profile, however, and at 400 miles it would have been well within the TPY-2’s surveillance range before the missile was dropped. Feb 9/07: Raytheon Company in Woburn, MA received a $20 million cost-plus-fixed-fee modification contract that could soar to $212.2 million to manufacture, deliver, and integrate the AN/TPY-2 radar component of the THAAD ABM system. Fiscal Year 2007 R&D funds worth $20 million will be used. Work will be performed at Woburn, MA and is expected to be complete by May 2010. The Missile Defense Agency in Washington, DC issued the contract (HQ0006-03-C-0047). See also Raytheon release. Jan 26/07: Test #15. An intercept test is successfully conducted at 7:20 p.m. Hawaii Time) at the Pacific Missile Range Facility off the island of Kauai in Hawaii, with the MDA and Lockheed Martin both claiming success. This test involved a single-warhead target representing a SCUD-type ballistic missile, traveling just inside earthâ?™s atmosphere following launch from a mobile platform positioned off Kauai in the Pacific Ocean. Primary flight test objectives included demonstrating the integration of the radar, launcher, fire control and communications and interceptor operations; demonstrating radar and interceptor discrimination; and target acquisition and tracking by the interceptor’s seeker. See MDA release [PDF] | Raytheon release. Jan 2/07: Israel to choose THAAD over Arrow? SpaceWar relays a report from the left-leaning Ha’aretz newspaper that Israel is considering halting the development of a new generation of its Boeing/IAI Arrow theater defense system due to the high costs involved, in favour of THAAD. Negotiations have reportedly been ongoing in recent months, and it is said that Israeli leaders will make a final decision on whether to phase out the Arrow some time in 2007. While the USA has paid half of the Arrow system’s development costs since 1991 (and derived all technology access and lessons), it’s worth noting that THAAD could be paid for via 100% commitment of “soft” US aid budget dollars rather than requiring 50% hard currency outlays. On the other hand, the Arrow’s tests have been generally successful, and THAAD is not yet seen as reliable. UPDATE: The Israeli Ministry of Defence has strongly denied these reports. Dec 22/06: Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company of Sunnyvale, CA received a $619.2 million cost-plus-incentive-fee/ cost-plus-award-fee contract for Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) fire unit fielding, support equipment and initial spares. A January 3, 2007 Lockheed release adds that the contract is for the first 2 THAAD fire units, which includes 48 interceptors (missiles), 6 launchers, and 2 fire control and communications units. The system is scheduled for fielding in FY 2009. Work will be performed at Sunnyvale, CA, though final assembly, integration and testing of production equipment will take place at Lockheed Martin’s award-winning manufacturing facilities in Troy, AL, and Camden, AR. The contract is expected to be completed in February 2011. This is a sole source contract award from the Missile Defense Agency, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense Project Office in Huntsville, AL (HQ0147-07-C-0196). “This is a major milestone for the THAAD program,” said Tom McGrath, Lockheed Martin vice president and THAAD program manager. Which it is, following a number of tests in which THAAD has performed reasonably well. THAAD on HEMTT Launcher on HEMTT truck (click to view full) July 12/06: Successful test launch of a THAAD interceptor missile. The primary test objective was to demonstrate the interceptor seeker’s ability to accurately identify a ballistic missile target in the high-endoatmosphere, i.e. just inside the earth’s atmosphere. A non-separating Hera target missile was launched for the test, and (although it was not a primary objective) a successful THAAD intercept of the target occurred. See also Lockheed Martin MFC release. May 11/06: Successful launch was achieved of a THAAD interceptor missile. This was intended as a fully integrated flight test (not intercept test) of all THAAD components, including the mobile launcher, radar, fire control and communications element, and the interceptor missile. A Raytheon release touts the performance of its THAAD Ground-Based Radar in the test. The THAAD radar, developed by Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS), accomplished all test objectives, including communicating with the in-flight THAAD missile. Track and discrimination reports were successfully transmitted between the THAAD radar and fire control. Performance of the fire control software, jointly developed by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, was also successful. See also Lockheed Martin MFC release. Nov 22/05: New round of testing begins for THAAD with a non-intercept launch. All components work. See Lockheed Martin MFC release. May 26/04: Lockheed Martin begins manufacturing the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile at its Pike County Operations facility in Troy, AL. One “pathfinder” missile and 16 developmental test missiles will be manufactured. See Lockheed Martin MFC release. May 29/02: Lockheed Martin breaks ground in Troy, AL on a new production facility for the Theater High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Weapon System. The investment was reportedly about $13 milion, and part of that will be used to optimize the THAAD facility for lean production and Six-Sigma programs. The Pike County site has won several independent awards for its quality and performance, and is considered a Lockheed Martin Center of Excellence for strike weapons. It already performs final assembly, test and storage ofthe Hellfire II and Longbow Hellfire anti-armor missiles; the Javelin man-portable anti-armor missile; the Israeli-designed AGM-142 ‘Popeye’ air-to-surface missile, and (in future) the JASSM air-surface missile. The plant currently employs about 230 employees, and will assemble and test the THAAD missile in a field-deployable canister. See Lockheed Martin MFC release. Jan 24/01: Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control selects its production facility in Pike County (Troy), AL as the missile final assembly and test site for the THAAD weapon system. Work will happen in two phases, starting with the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase beginning in 2003, and the construction of a 39,000-square-foot, $8.6 million state-of-the-art facility dedicated to the THAAD program. Personnel staffing and training will ramp up at the Pike County facility beginning in calendar year 2004, with the first early development unit work beginning in 2004. An additional 15,500 square feet of administration and storage space will be added in 2004.



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