THAAD Missile Test • Terminal High Altitude Area Defense

THAAD missile defense successes and the strategic tensions they create

THAAD: America’s High-Altitude Missile Shield THAAD is the U.S. military’s advanced ballistic missile defense system designed to intercept threats in their terminal phase using hit-to-kill precision. Capable of engaging targets inside and outside the atmosphere at ranges up to 200 km, it provides layered protection against short- to intermediate-range missiles. Combat-tested in Middle East conflicts, including the 2025 Twelve-Day War, THAAD has repeatedly proven its ability to safeguard allies a