Missile Defense Agency and U.S. Army Test Integration of THAAD and Patriot Missile Defense Systems

HUNTSVILLE, AL, UNITED STATES

03.29.2022

Story by Latonja Martin 

Missile Defense Agency

Missile Defense Agency and U.S. Army Test Integration of THAAD and Patriot Missile Defense Systems
22-NEWS-0004
March 29, 2022
The Missile Defense Agency, in partnership with the U.S. Army Program Executive Office Missiles and Space, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command, and Ballistic Missile Defense System Operational Test Agency, successfully conducted a flight test today of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Weapon System. The test, designated Flight Test THAAD Weapon System (FTT)-21, was conducted at the White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.

Preliminary results indicate that flight test objectives were achieved by the THAAD Weapon System, which fired two Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC)-3 Missile Segment Enhanced (MSE) interceptors that intercepted a Black Dagger target.

"The success of today's flight test marks a critical milestone for the integration of the THAAD and Patriot weapon systems," said MDA Director Vice Adm. Jon Hill. "The integration of the PAC-3 MSE interceptor into the THAAD weapon system provides the combatant commands and soldiers on the ground the capability to use the right missile for the right threat at the right time. This was a complex capability to develop, and I commend the MDA team, U.S. Army soldiers and civilians, and our industry partners for their stellar dedication to the mission."

FTT-21 is the first live intercept flight test of a software build that provides the capability for the THAAD Weapon System to compute PAC-3 MSE firing solutions, communicate with an M903 Patriot Launching Station, and simultaneously control multiple PAC-3 MSE interceptors in flight. The integration of the PAC-3 MSE interceptor into the THAAD Weapon System enables the warfighter to launch the PAC-3 MSE interceptor earlier enabling a longer fly-out time which in turns increases the defended area or battlespace. This new capability is directly applicable to addressing current threat environments with an enhanced, layered defense.

Additional information about all elements of the Missile Defense System can be found at https://www.mda.mil.

Please direct all media related queries to Mark Wright, at 571-231-8212, [e-mail] or Latonja Martin, 256-450-3239, [e-mail]. Videos and Imagery

• Date Taken: 03.29.2022
• Date Posted: 04.04.2022 23:22
• Story ID: 417824
• Location: HUNTSVILLE, AL, US