Background
According to the Department of Defense (DOD), the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system (Figure 1) is a key element of U.S. ballistic missile defense (BMD). THAAD employs interceptor missiles, using "hit-to-kill" technology, to destroy threat missiles. Reportedly, THAAD is capable of engaging targets at ranges of 150–200 kilometers (km). THAAD covers the BMD middle tier and defends a larger area than the Patriot Air and Missile Defense System. It complements the Patriot, the Navy's AEGIS Missile Defense System, and the Ground-based Midcourse Defense System.
A THAAD battery consists of 90 soldiers, six truck mounted launchers, 48 interceptors (eight per launcher), one Army/Navy Transportable Radar Surveillance and Control Mode 2 (AN/TPY-2) radar, and a Tactical Fire Control/Communications component. THAAD provides Combatant Commanders a rapidly deployable capability against short-range (up to 1,000 km), medium-range (1,000–3,000 km), and limited intermediate-range (3,000–5,000 km) ballistic missile threats inside or outside the atmosphere during their final (terminal) phase of flight. THAAD was developed by Lockheed Martin Corporation, headquartered in Bethesda, MD, and is being manufactured in Troy, AL. The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is responsible for the development of THAAD. According to the MDA,
MDA is responsible for the sustainment of the THAAD missile defense unique and development items, while the U.S. Army is responsible for the operations and sustainment of the common items. MDA funding provides sustainment for all fielded THAAD batteries, ensures THAAD assets are properly maintained and crews are trained to meet Combatant Commanders' needs.
The Army provides soldiers for THAAD units. As such, the ability to field and operate THAAD batteries can be affected by recruiting and retention shortages, as well as the availability of qualified critical technical military occupational specialties.
The Army currently has eight THAAD batteries. The first THAAD battery (A Battery, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade) was activated in May 2008 at Fort Bliss, TX. According to 2019's Army Air and Missile Defense 2028, three THAAD batteries were based at Fort Bliss, two batteries are based at Fort Cavazos, TX, and one battery is based in South Korea and one in Guam. It is not known to CRS where the eighth THAAD battery is planned to be stationed.
|
Source: U.S. Indo-Pacific Command News, https://www.pacom.mil/Media/News/Article/707735/missile-system-would-greatly-increase-defense-capability-in-south-korea/, accessed April 16, 2024. |
Brief History of the THAAD Program
According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Missile Defense Project, the Army began developing THAAD in 1992. In December 1995, the Army attempted its first THAAD intercept test, which was unsuccessful. Five successive test flights—taking place from 1996 to 1999—also failed. The Army redesigned THAAD and relaxed requirements for intercepting targets at lower altitudes. Between 2006 and 2019, the Army and the MDA conducted 18 THAAD intercept tests. Fourteen of the tests were successful, and four were cancelled prior to launch due to target malfunctions.
Current THAAD Program Activities
The FY2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) (P.L. 116-283) authorized and funded the procurement of an eighth THAAD battery. On April 21, 2022, Lockheed Martin received a contract totaling $74 million to produce the THAAD battery for the MDA, was planned to be fielded by 2025. According to the MDA, as of January 2024, the eighth THAAD battery was in production. According to Lockheed Martin, they delivered the minimum engagement package of the eighth THAAD battery to the U.S. government in June 2025.
THAAD Overseas Deployments
THAAD has been deployed on a number of occasions in response to potential ballistic missile threats. According to an April 2013 Federal Register notice
The U.S. Secretary of Defense directed the Army to deploy a THAAD battery immediately to Guam on an emergency basis in response to potential North Korean missile launch activity. Since the temporary deployment of the THAAD battery in 2013, DOD validated the enduring requirement for a THAAD battery in Guam to ensure continued defense of the homeland against existing and emerging missile threats by potentially hostile states in the region.
Stars and Stripes reported in May 2022 that the Army would relocate the THAAD battery on Guam from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, to the nearby Marine Corps base, Camp Blaz, Guam, which is currently under construction. The Guam-based THAAD unit is designated as Task Force Talon, Echo Battery, 3rd Air Defense Artillery of the Army's 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade.
South Korea
On July 7, 2016, the U.S. and South Korean governments decided to deploy a THAAD battery to U.S. Forces Korea as a defensive measure designed to ensure the security of South Korea and to protect alliance military forces from North Korea's use of weapons of mass destruction and conventional ballistic missile threats. The THAAD battery is stationed at a South Korean military base in Seongju, about 130 miles south of Seoul.
Europe and the Middle East
THAAD has also been deployed outside the Indo-Pacific region. According to CSIS
In April 2019, the United States temporarily deployed THAAD to Deveselu, Romania while its Aegis Ashore system received maintenance. Following drone and missile attacks on Saudi oil facilities, the United States deployed a THAAD battery to Saudi Arabia in October 2019. This system was withdrawn in mid-2021.
2023 Middle East Deployment
On October 21, 2023, the Secretary of Defense directed the deployment of a THAAD battery, as well as additional Patriot battalions, to locations throughout the region to increase force protection for U.S. forces, bolster regional deterrence efforts, and assist in the defense of Israel. According to a report, the THAAD battery deployed in 2023 and supporting Patriot units remain in the region.
United States Deploys THAAD to Israel
On October 13, 2024 the Department of Defense announced,
At the direction of the President, Secretary Austin authorized the deployment of a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery and associated crew of U.S. military personnel to Israel to help bolster Israel's air defenses following Iran's unprecedented attacks against Israel on April 13 and again on October 1. The THAAD Battery will augment Israel's integrated air defense system.
THAAD Use During the June 2025 U.S., Israel, and Iran Conflict
From June 13 to 24, 2025, the United States and Israel were involved in combat operations against Iran intended to destroy key Iranian military and nuclear facilities. In retaliation, Iran launched a series of regional missile strikes largely directed at Israel. According to one study, THAAD interceptors accounted for almost half of all U.S. and Israeli interceptors used to protect Israel against Iranian medium-range ballistic missiles. The study estimated that 92 THAAD interceptors were used during the conflict out of an estimated supply of 632 interceptors. The study further suggested that it could three to eight years to replenish the THAAD interceptor stockpile, with each THAAD interceptor valued at approximately $12.7 million.
FY2026 THAAD Budget Request
The MDA's FY2026 budget request stated that
Army force structure for THAAD missile defense is currently set at eight (8) batteries with six (6) launchers operated by 90 Soldiers. The battery is organized to conduct 120-day deployments (45 days of entry operations and 75 days of 17-hour/day combat operations). During actual deployments, batteries have been operating at 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year operational tempo.
In terms of THAAD interceptors, MDA's FY2026 budget request states,
The FY 2026 request for THAAD Procurement includes $523.1 million of discretionary and $317.0 million of mandatory (reconciliation) for a total of $840.1 million. The total procurement quantity of 37 [interceptors] consists of:
25 THAAD interceptors funded with the discretionary funds.
12 THAAD interceptors funded with the mandatory (reconciliation) funds.
Potential Congressional Oversight Consideration
Adequacy of Current THAAD Force Structure
According to the MDA, the Army has eight Active Duty THAAD batteries. Two batteries are committed on a long-term basis to Guam and South Korea, and a battery deployed to the Middle East in 2023 reportedly remains in the region. With the October 2024 THAAD deployment to Israel, at least half of the Army's eight THAAD batteries appear to be deployed on operations, leaving the remaining batteries for contingency operations or as potential rotational replacements for currently deployed THAAD batteries.
It is also possible that additional THADD units might be required to support the Trump Administration's Golden Dome homeland missile defense initiative. While Golden Dome's precise architecture has yet to be determined, it is possible that THAAD could play a role in ground-based homeland missile defense, potentially requiring the creation of additional THAAD units.
Given the aforementioned considerations, Congress might decide to examine the adequacy of Army THAAD force structure and assess if it would be practical to create THAAD units in the Army National Guard.