Lockheed Martin Corp has been awarded two contracts worth US$162 million for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-ballistic missile defense system, the US DoD announced on May 2, 2018.

A Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptor is launched from a THAAD battery located on Wake Island, during Flight Test Operational (FTO)-02 Event 2a, conducted Nov. 1, 2015
(Credit: Ben Listerman/MDA)

The US-based defense giant first landed a $145,256,274 modification contract for the production of additional THAAD Lot 10 interceptors, one-shot devices, and associated product support efforts. The value of this contract is increased from $1,285,845,311 to $1,431,101,585. The work will be performed in several US places, with an expected completion date of Aug. 31, 2021.

A second $17,967,600 modification contract concerns an option for the production of additional Missile Round Pallets - Transportable (MRP-T) for the THAAD system. The value of this contract is increased from $977,952,958 to $995,920,558. The value of this contract is increased from $1,285,845,311 to $1,431,101,585. The work will be performed in several US places, with an expected completion date of Dec. 31, 2021.

The US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is the contracting activity for both contracts.

THAAD operates in a unique battle space intercepting both endo- and exo-atmospheric short-to-intermediate range ballistic missiles. This ground-based missile defense system is rapidly deployable with high mobility, providing proven capability to Combatant Commanders world-wide.

The THAAD missile is 6.17m in long and is equipped with a single stage solid fuel rocket motor with thrust vectoring. The rocket motor is supplied by Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne. The launch weight is 900kg. Each THAAD system is comprised of five major components: interceptors, launchers, a radar, a fire control unit and THAAD-specific support equipment.