The US Department of Defense (DoD) is considering a range of options designed to put the problem-plagued Theater High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile programme on track, including development of a second source for the weapon and cost sharing for future flight tests.
Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO) officials are reviewing Lockheed Martin's proposals to cure the technical problems which have caused the weapon to miss target ballistic missiles in five out of the five live tests carried out so far.
The latest test flop was caused by an electrical malfunction of the thrust vector control assembly which provides steering and control of the missile during the boost phase of flight.
The review comes after Congress moved to salvage THAAD rather than terminate it. The House of Representatives directed the Pentagon to select an alternative contractor to Lockheed Martin, while the Senate voted to withhold engineering and manufacturing development funds until the current phase of development is concluded successfully.
In the face of the criticism, the BMDO "-is pursuing a parallel strategy to correct existing programme shortcomings and continue with flight testing while preserving the Government's option to execute an alternative acquisition strategy, if required".
Government and company officials are meeting to discuss technical and financial issues. "A principal area of discussion is a Govern- ment and contractor cost sharing arrangement for the conduct of flight tests," says the BMDO.
Industry sources say the contractor has offered to pay a penalty of $15 million for each future test failure. Five tests remain. The deal would be cancelled if there are three successful tests in a row.
Meanwhile, BMDO says "-the primary action under consideration by the DoD is the development of a second source for the missile", but more work is required.
Source: Flight International