THAAD Missile

THAAD Missile model. The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) is a key component of the U.S. Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS), designed to protect military forces, allied nations, population centers, and critical infrastructure against short-, medium-, and intermediate-range ballistic missile threats. THAAD is a highly mobile, ground-based missile defense system capable of intercepting targets both inside the atmosphere (endo-atmospheric) and outside the atmosphere (exo-atmospheric) during the terminal phase of flight. The system can engage ballistic missile threats at ranges of up to 200 km and altitudes of up to 150 km. THAAD is fully interoperable with other elements of the BMDS, including the Patriot PAC-3, Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense system, satellites, and external sensor networks, enabling a layered and integrated missile defense capability.