One of the analysts says that Washington wants to test the THAAD system and that if it has advanced thaad system is useful against Iran’s new hypersonic ballistic missiles.
What is thaad system?
THAAD is a military system that is made to be used for protection against missiles and it uses a combination of radar and interceptors to thwart short, medium and intermediate missiles. Its missiles can cover a range of 150 to 200km and U.S. defense and aerospace manufacturer Lockheed Martin makes the system.
According to the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, it can intercept missiles both within and beyond Earth’s atmosphere during the final phase of their flight, starting when the warhead re-enters the atmosphere and ending at detonation.
How does the THAAD system work?
Congressional research service reported in April that the thaad batteries are usually made up of 95 soldiers, six truck-mounted launchers, 48 interceptors, eight launchers for each, one radar system and fire control and also the communication components.
The number of launchers and interceptors can vary.
Thaad systems do not carry an explosive warhead, which allows them to reach higher altitudes quickly. Instead of exploding on impact with incoming missiles to neutralize them. THAAD intercepts use kinetic energy. The energy that is generated through its mass being in motion. To set off the missiles.
What it cannot do is fend off smaller, simpler weapons such as drones used by groups including Hamas and Yemen’s Houthis, Al Jazeera’s Mike Hanna reported from Washington, DC. This is because the drones are small and do not approach from a high altitude.
Thaad is not capable of smaller drones, because drones are not able to reach higher altitudes such as including Hamas and Yemen’s Houthis, according to the report by Mike Hanna, from al Jazeera.
How much does THAAD cost? One THAAD battery costs between $1 billion and $1.8 billion, according to Hanna.
How many THAAD batteries are there? According to a report by the Congressional Research Service, the U.S. Army has deployed seven THAAD batteries, including in South Korea and Guam.
Does Israel already have THAAD batteries? In 2019, the U.S. deployed a THAAD battery to southern Israel for training and an integrated air defense exercise, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. However, the battery was returned to the U.S. after the exercise, as Hanna explained. Following the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, the U.S. deployed a THAAD battery to the Middle East to protect American troops and interests, though the specific location was not disclosed.
What air defense systems does Israel currently use? Israel’s air defenses include three systems: the Iron Dome, which intercepts short-range missiles (4 to 70 km), David’s Sling, which targets medium-range missiles (40 to 300 km), and the Arrow System, designed to intercept long-range missiles up to 2,400 km. According to Hanna, the THAAD and Iron Dome systems can work together to enhance protection from higher altitudes and longer distances.
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