Ballistic Missile Defense

The Theater High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, a mobile, land-based system being developed by the Defense Department (DOD), is intended to take out ballistic missiles at high altitudes and long ranges using hit-to-kill technology. This should reduce the probability that debris and chemical or biological agents from a warhead will reach the ground in damaging amounts. The system is designed to protect wide areas, such as cities, small countries, and dispersed military forces. The THAAD system will consist of missiles, mobile launchers, ground-based radars, a tactical operations center, and support equipment. The United States is now discussing with the Russians a proposal to allow systems like THAAD to be developed and deployed. The Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty prohibits mobile, land-based systems that can counter strategic ballistic missiles, but it does not define the characteristics of either a strategic or a theater missile. Some theater missiles, however, do not approach the capabilities of the older, shorter range strategic missiles in terms of maximum range. The concern is that THAAD, if given the ability to counter the new, more capable theater threats, would have some capability against strategic ballistic missiles. This would have serious implications for THAAD and the ABM Treaty.