The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) recently awarded global defense technology company Lockheed Martin a follow-on development contract for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Weapon System with a ceiling value of $2.8 billion if all options are exercised.
The THAAD Weapon System provides combat-proven missile defense against short, medium and intermediate-range ballistic missile threats. It has a flight test record of 17 for 17 intercepts, 16 of which were with a THAAD interceptor. The system successfully integrated with the PAC-3 MSE interceptor by firing and controlling PAC-3 MSEs and intercepting a ballistic missile target.
The indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract supports the development of the THAAD Weapon System’s capabilities over the next five years. There are two options to extend for a performance period of up to 10 years.
“The combat-proven THAAD interceptor is an effective deterrent against a range of ballistic missile threats, and we are pleased to continue advancing its capabilities for our current and future customers,” Dan Nimblett, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control Upper Tier Integrated Air and Missile Defense vice president, said. “THAAD is a key part of our missile defense architecture, and this vote of confidence from the MDA reinforces our commitment to jointly delivering enhanced defensive capability against emerging missile threats.”