THAAD Missile Defense System Specs, Components, Cost and Operators

The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system is a US road-mobile missile defense battery, built by Lockheed Martin, that destroys short-, medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles by direct impact, both inside and outside the atmosphere. Its interceptor reaches about 150 km in altitude and about 200 km in range, according to Wikipedia, and it is operated by the United States, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

Lockheed Martin lists 10 active batteries and a 100 percent flight-test intercept success rate (company website, 2026). An interceptor cost about $15.5 million in the FY2026 US budget request, and in January 2026 Lockheed signed a framework with the Department of War to raise output from 96 to 400 interceptors a year.

What Is the THAAD Missile Defense System?

THAAD was designed by Lockheed Martin between 1992 and 1999. The first flight test came in April 1995, the first successful intercepts in June and August 1999, and initial deployment in May 2008, according to Wikipedia. It is a layer above Patriot: it engages ballistic missiles in their late flight phase, high in or above the atmosphere, and uses no warhead, relying on the kinetic energy of impact (“hit-to-kill”).

What Are the Components of a THAAD Battery?

A battery consists of launchers, interceptors, a radar and control stations. Wikipedia describes a standard battery as six transporter erector launcher trucks with eight launch tubes each (48 interceptors), one AN/TPY-2 radar, three control stations and a crew of about 90 soldiers. The War Zone notes that batteries typically have 6 to 9 launchers, so configurations vary.

The AN/TPY-2 also serves other layers. Wikipedia says it can cue the Patriot PAC-3 system, and units are located in places including Japan and Qatar. Saudi Arabia received the first radar with a gallium nitride transmitter, completed in September 2024. For the lower layer, see our Patriot explainer.

What Is the Range and Altitude of THAAD?

Wikipedia gives the interceptor an engagement altitude of about 150 km (93 miles) and a range of about 200 km (120 miles), at speeds near 2,800 m/s. Lockheed Martin does not publish range or altitude figures on its product page, so these numbers are open-source estimates rather than official ratings. The system is designed to engage inside and outside the atmosphere, which is why the word “high altitude” is in its name.

How Much Does a THAAD Interceptor Cost?

The price matters because stocks are small. The War Zone reported that 646 interceptors had been funded to date under the FY2026 budget. In June 2025, reports put US expenditure at more than 150 interceptors during a 12-day Middle East conflict, roughly a quarter of all interceptors ordered or planned, per The War Zone. Replacing them at then-current buy rates was estimated to take about four years.

Which Countries Operate THAAD?

Wikipedia counted at least 12 batteries (eight US Army, four foreign-operated) and at least 632 interceptors as of June 2025. Lockheed Martin currently gives 10 active batteries, so the counts differ by source and date. Gulf buyers are also adding other layers, such as the UAE’s Hanwha-built medium-range shield.

How Is Lockheed Martin Quadrupling THAAD Production?

On 29 January 2026 Lockheed Martin said it had signed a framework agreement with the Department of War to lift THAAD interceptor capacity from 96 to 400 a year, over seven years. The company said it would invest multiple billions of dollars over three years, break ground on a Munitions Acceleration Center in Camden, Arkansas, and modernise more than 20 facilities across Arkansas, Alabama, Florida, Massachusetts and Texas. The THAAD programme employs more than 2,000 people, per Lockheed Martin.

Motors are the bottleneck. In the L3Harris contract, a seven-year award to roughly quadruple output of the solid rocket boost motor and the divert and attitude control system, the company builds boost motors in Huntsville, Alabama, and Camden, Arkansas, according to Military Aerospace Electronics. It has not said where the new plant will go. Terms will be fixed at definitization, expected later in 2026. Read more about the prime in our Lockheed Martin profile.

THAAD Missile Defense FAQ

What does THAAD stand for?

Terminal High Altitude Area Defense.

Who makes THAAD?

Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor. Raytheon makes the AN/TPY-2 radar, and L3Harris supplies rocket motors and steering systems.

What is the range of THAAD?

Wikipedia lists about 200 km in range and about 150 km in altitude for the interceptor.

How much does a THAAD missile cost?

About $12.6 million in FY2017 and about $15.5 million in the FY2026 budget request.

Which countries have THAAD?

The United States, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

How many THAAD interceptors are built each year?

Lockheed Martin says capacity is 96 a year and plans 400 a year under a January 2026 framework.

What is the difference between THAAD and Patriot?

THAAD engages ballistic missiles at higher altitudes and longer range; Patriot covers the lower layer.