THE LOCKHEED Martin Theater High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile failed on 15 July to destroy a simulated ballistic missile, the third misfire in three intercept attempts.
The US Army says that, "-an intercept was not achieved" during the test, at the White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, and early indications are that the seeker malfunctioned. The kill vehicle passed the target and self-destructed. Programme officials are reviewing flight-test data to establish the cause of the failure.
On 22 March, a THAAD missile flew past the target after its in-flight command and control functions failed to operate. A software glitch caused a THAAD missile, to miss its target on 13 December, 1995.
The THAAD is designed to engage theatre ballistic missiles at high altitudes and long ranges, using hit-to-kill technology. Lockheed Martin is working under a $689 million research-and-development contract.
Source: Flight International