From Jim Wolf, Reuters: A multibillion-dollar missile defense system built by Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N) successfully completed its most challenging test so far, downing two short-range targets in quick succession, the company said on Wednesday.
It was the first test of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, or THAAD, under what the Pentagon’s Missile Defense Agency described as "operational" conditions.
Since advanced THAAD testing began in 2006, the system is a perfect nine for nine in intercepts attempted, said Richard Lehner, an agency spokesman. . . .
The troops who operated THAAD in the latest test did not know what day nor time the mission would occur, "to make this a realistic tactical environment," the Lockheed statement said. . . .
THAAD is being developed for the U.S. Army. The Defense Department notified the U.S. Congress in September 2008 that the United Arab Emirates wanted to be the first foreign buyer.
At the time, the Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency put the potential value of the UAE deal at $7 billion. (photo: Lockheed Martin)
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