Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)

Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), formerly Theater High Altitude Area Defense, is a United States Army system to shoot down short, medium, and intermediate ballistic missiles in their terminal phase using a hit-to-kill approach. The missile carries no warhead but relies on the kinetic energy of the impact. THAAD was designed to hit Scuds and similar weapons, but also has a limited capability against ICBMs.
The THAAD system is being designed, built, and integrated by Lockheed Martin Space Systems acting as prime contractor. Key subcontractors include Raytheon, Boeing, Aerojet, Rocketdyne, Honeywell, BAE Systems, and MiltonCAT. Development was budgeted at over USD$700 million for 2004.
Although originally a U.S. Army program, THAAD has come under the umbrella of the Missile Defense Agency. The Navy has a similar program, the sea-based Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System. THAAD was originally scheduled for deployment in 2012, but deployment has recently been accelerated to 2009.

Development

The THAAD missile defense concept was proposed in 1987, with a formal request for proposals submitted to industry in 1990. In September 1992, the U.S. Army selected Lockheed Martin as prime contractor for THAAD development. Prior to development of a physical prototype, the Aero-Optical Effect (AOE) software code was developed to validate the intended operational profile of Lockheed's proposed design. The first THAAD flight test occurred in April 1995, with all flight tests in the Demonstration-Validation (DEM-VAL) program phase occurring at White Sands Missile Range. The first six intercept attempts missed the target (Flights 4-9). The first successful intercepts were conducted on June 20, 1999, and August 2, 1999, against Hera missiles.

Production and deployment

THAAD Energy Management Steering maneuver, used to burn excess propellant.

Sometimes called Kinetic Kill technology, the THAAD missile destroys missiles by colliding with them, using hit-to-kill technology, like the MIM-104 Patriot PAC-3 (although the PAC-3 also contains a small explosive warhead). This is unlike the Patriot PAC-2 which carried only an explosive warhead detonated using a proximity fuse. Although the actual figures are classified, THAAD missiles have an estimated range of 125 miles (200 km), and can reach an altitude of 93 miles (150 km). The THAAD missile is manufactured at the Lockheed Martin Pike County Operations facility near Troy, Alabama. The facility performs final integration, assembly and testing of the THAAD missile.

The AN/TPY-2 radar

The THAAD Radar is an X-Band Radar developed and built by Raytheon at its Andover, Massachusetts Integrated Air Defense Facility. It is the world's largest ground/air-transportable X-Band radar. The THAAD Radar and a variant developed as a forward sensor for ICBM missile defense, the "Forward-Based X-Band - Transportable (FBX-T)" radar were assigned a common designator, AN/TPY-2, in late 2006/early 2007.

First Line Units Activated at Fort Bliss

On 28 May 2008, the U.S. Army activated Alpha Battery, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade. The Unit is part of the 32nd Army Air & Missile Defense Command. It will have 24 THAAD interceptors, three THAAD launchers based on the M1120 HEMTT Load Handling System, a THAAD Fire Control and a THAAD radar. Full fielding will begin in 2009.^{[16] [17]}
On October 16, 2009, the U.S. Army and the Missile Defense Agency activated the second Terminal High Altitude Area Defense Battery, Alpha Battery, 2nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, at Fort Bliss, Texas.

KRISS TDI-VECTOR

The TDI Vector series is a family of .45 ACP submachine guns developed by Transformational Defense Industries (TDI). They utilize asymmetrical recoil and in-line design to reduce recoil and muzzle climb.

Design

 

The Vector's patented action was originally designed by French engineer Renaud Kerbrat. This action, the so-called Kriss Super V, is an articulated mechanism which allows the block and bolt to recoil off-axis into a recess behind the weapon's magazine well. The Vector series are the first to use this action; the company claims the .45 ACP chambering was chosen to demonstrate that the action could "tame" such a powerful round.
The Vector's barrel is in line with the shooter's shoulder as in the M16 rifle and German FG42, but also in line with the shooter's hand as with many target pistols. Combined, these factors are claimed to reduce felt recoil and muzzle climb by eliminating the distance between the shooter's hand and the bore axis.

Variants

The selective fire variant is marketed as the Vector SMG, and features a 5.5 inch barrel. TDI also produces two semi-automatic versions of the Vector for sale in the US with the option of a fixed stock in states where a folding one would be prohibited. The semi-automatic carbine is called the Vector CRB/SO, with no confirmation on what the letters "CRB" stand for; they are presumed to mean "carbine." Similarly, the semi-automatic short-barrel version is labeled as Vector SBR/SO, presumed to stand for "Short BaRrel" or "Short Barrel Rifle."
TDI has announced that they also plan on adapting the system for higher-power cartridges in the future, with the company's website including plans for a 12-gauge shotgun called the MVS, and a .50 BMG heavy machine gun apparently now known as the "Disraptor" which is planned to use a double-sided, horizontal version of the Kriss mechanism.