MDA Requests Nearly $500 Million to Develop 8th THAAD Battery and Integrate into IBCS Combat Control System

The US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has requested $484.7 million for the development of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defence programme. The funding will enable the development of the 8th THAAD battery to begin.

Here's What We Know

The 2024 request includes $267.9 million for research, development, testing and evaluation of the system. Another $216.8 million will be used to buy 11 missile interceptors. As you can see, the U.S. is increasing its missile procurement.

In fiscal year 2023, $75 million was spent to buy three interceptors. Over the next four years, the United States plans to purchase 159 missiles (31 + 32 + 48 + 48). At least that is what the MDA's five-year plan states.

THAAD is an anti-missile system designed for high-altitude interception of medium-range missiles outside the atmosphere. One battery typically consists of six launchers, 48 interceptors (eight per launcher), one radar station and a command post.

A radar station can detect targets at a distance of 1,000 km. The anti-missile can intercept threats at altitudes up to 200 km. The maximum target velocity is up to 4.8 km/sec.

Source: Janes