What is THAAD? The US missile defence system with ‘hit-to-kill’ technology

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Thursday it launched the seventeenth wave of attacks under “Operation True Promise-4”, targeting strategic sites in Israeli-controlled territories that managed to bypass the US-made THAAD missile defence system, one of Washington’s most advanced missile defence systems THAAD, as the war involving Iran, Israel and the United States continues.

Despite the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and several senior officials, Iran has continued to fire projectiles at targets in Israel and across the Middle East. The situation has raised concerns for the United States and its allies, including Israel and Gulf countries, which depend heavily on air defence systems to stop incoming attacks.




Western forces rely on several systems to intercept missiles and drones. The most important among them are THAAD interceptors, Patriot missile systems and the Standard Missile family used by US naval forces. Israel also uses its own Arrow interceptor systems. However, these defences are under growing strain as the conflict continues.

Many interceptors have already been supplied to Ukraine during its war with Russia. Others were used in the Red Sea to protect shipping from attacks by Iran-aligned Houthi forces. Additional systems have been deployed in the Indo-Pacific to defend South Korea and Taiwan from possible threats from North Korea and China, according to news agency PTI.

What is THAAD?

THAAD, short for Terminal High-Altitude Area Defence, is one of the most powerful missile defence systems operated by the United States. It is designed to intercept short-, medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles during the final phase of their flight.

According to the US department of defense, THAAD) is a key element of US ballistic missile defense and employs interceptor missiles, using "hit-to-kill" technology, to destroy threat missiles.

The system can destroy incoming missiles at distances of around 150 to 200 kilometres. Unlike traditional missile defences that explode near their targets, THAAD interceptors use kinetic energy. This means they destroy incoming missiles by colliding directly with them in mid-air.

The system relies on advanced radar and targeting technology. Its AN/TPY-2 radar can detect and track missile threats at very long distances. In forward-based mode, the radar can track targets up to around 3,000 kilometres away. In terminal mode, it focuses on missiles descending toward their targets.

According to the US Congressional Research Service, the US military currently operates seven THAAD batteries. Each battery includes six truck-mounted launchers with eight interceptors each, along with radar and command systems that coordinate missile defence operations.

THAAD batteries can also work with other missile defence systems, including Aegis systems on US Navy ships and Patriot missile batteries deployed on land. Together, these create a layered defence designed to intercept missiles at different stages of flight.

The system can be rapidly deployed by large US military transport aircraft such as the C-17 and C-5, allowing it to be positioned quickly in areas facing missile threats.