Officials said this marked the first operational test and evaluation for
THAAD. They said the live-fire demonstration was meant to understand the
capabilities and effectiveness of the fielded system.
"It was, by far, THAAD's most challenging flight test to date and
demonstrates the system's advanced capabilities." L-M vice president Tom
McGrath said.
THAAD has been sought by several Middle East allies of the United
States, including Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Middle East Newsline reported. But L-M acknowledged
that Abu Dhabi has shelved the procurement of THAAD until at least next
year.
The flight test, conducted near Hawaii, began with a THAAD missile that
intercepted a short-range ballistic missile target. Shortly after, a second
THAAD intercepted a sea-launched missile.
"THAAD is the only missile defense system that can intercept missiles
both inside the atmosphere and outside the atmosphere," MDA spokesman
Rick Lehner said. "Other missile defense technologies do either one or the
other."