(CNN) – The THAAD defense system is one of the US military’s most powerful anti-missile weapons, capable of intercepting ballistic missiles at ranges of 150 to 200 kilometers (93 to 124 miles) and with an almost perfect success rate in testing.
THAAD, short for Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense, is the only US missile defense system that can engage and destroy short-, medium- and intermediate-range missiles in and out of the atmosphere using a combination of radar systems and advanced interceptors. At the terminal stage of the flight
THAAD interceptors are kinetic, meaning they take out incoming targets by colliding with them rather than detonating near incoming warships.
According to a report by the Congressional Research Service, the US military has seven THAAD batteries, each consisting of six truck-mounted launchers (each with eight interceptors), a powerful radar system, and a fire control and communications component.
According to the Pentagon, “Following Iran’s unprecedented attacks on Israel on April 13 and October 1, one of those valuable batteries is now being sent to Israel to help boost its already impressive capability to counter incoming missiles.” But to do that, you need US troops on the ground.
According to the Pentagon, the US military will send about 100 soldiers to Israel to operate the battery. Iran has told the US it will retaliate against any new attack by Israel, a source in Tehran told CNN on Saturday.
Through a comprehensive command and control and battle management system, THAAD batteries can interact with a variety of US missile defenses, including Aegis systems commonly found on US Navy ships and Patriot missile defense systems designed to intercept short-range targets.
There are many more missile defense systems than THAAD, which explains the importance the Biden administration places on this deployment in Israel.
THAAD could be quickly deployed by U.S. Air Force cargo planes such as the C-17 and C-5, but the Pentagon did not provide a timeline for when it would become operational in Israel.
Making THAAD more accurate is a radar system that provides guidance information, the Army and Navy’s Transportable Radar Surveillance Radar, or AN/TPY-2.
The radar system, which can be deployed by a missile battery or already installed on US Navy ships or other installations, can detect missiles in two ways. In its advanced mode, it is configured to acquire and track targets up to 3,000 kilometers (1,865 miles) away, and in its terminal mode, according to the missile defense plan, it goes uphill to acquire targets during its descent. Iran is about 1,700 kilometers (1,100 mi) from Israel.
Thad won’t act alone in defending Israel, and could act as an additional “deterrent” to an attack, said CNN military analyst Cedric Leiden, a former U.S. Air Force colonel.
“When implemented, it will actually add a layer to existing Israeli air and missile defenses,” Leighton said.
According to the Missile Threat Program for Strategic and International Studies, production models of the THAAD system have never failed to intercept incoming targets during testing.
Israel already has several anti-missile systems designed to shoot down incoming missiles.
David Sling, a joint project of Israel’s RAFAEL Advanced Defense System and US defense company Raytheon, uses stunner and Skyceptor kinetic interceptors to eliminate targets up to 300 kilometers (186 miles) away, according to the Missile Threat Program.
Above the David Sling are Israel’s Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 systems, developed jointly with the United States.
According to CSIS, Arrow 2 uses fragmentation warheads to destroy incoming ballistic missiles in the upper atmosphere in their terminal phase (when they are launched toward targets).
Meanwhile, the Arrow 3 uses critical impact technology to intercept incoming ballistic missiles in space, as THAAD can do.
Most low-range missiles fired at Israel are countered by the Iron Dome defense system, each of 10 batteries carrying three or four cruise missiles.
This is not the first time Washington has sent a THAAD battery to Israel. One of them was sent for training in 2019.
Elsewhere, the THAAD deployment has been closely watched by America’s rivals, particularly China.
The deployment of a THAAD battery in South Korea in 2017, as North Korea’s ballistic missile threats escalated, prompted fierce opposition from Beijing, with experts concerned the powerful radar could be used to spy on China’s activities.
The US has deployed THAAD to Guam to protect key US military bases on the Pacific island from potential ballistic missile threats from North Korea or China.
