THAAD Launch
Image of Target (l) and Debris Intercepts
It appears that the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is beginning to get a handle on the problems that have plagued the Theater High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) program, (paid subscription required) with the latest test having two interceptors fired in salvo.
The 1st missile hit the target, and the 2nd missile struck the largest piece of debris remaining.
A lot of the problem has been the hand off between the radar and the missile’s own IIR seeker:
“Things look different to an X-band sensor than they do to an IR sensor. Something that really has a lot of sharp edges . . . will look big and bright to an RF [sensor], but it might be real, real cold,” says McGrath. “So, it doesn’t look that way to an IR [sensor]. I like to think of this as our two-color approach to life.”
Additionally, it looks like they are working at integrating the system with the Navy’s Aegis fire control system, which implies that the the reports that the MDA is looking at a larger 21, up from 14½ in diameter booster, (paid subscription required) the size of the standard Navy torpedo, cruise missile, and Standard missile, are about possibly mounting the missile on board a ship, as well as improving the missile kinematics.
Still, I am dubious of reports that
the MDA is looking at moving to deployment on any of its systems. (paid subscription required)
Simply put, the record, even if improved lately is just not there, and the technology remains ruinously expensive.