SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has increased its contract with Lockheed Martin for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, raising its value from $8.35 billion to $10.42 billion via a $2.06 billion modification. This enhancement will enable expanded production of THAAD interceptors under a fixed-price incentive contract.
The agency expects work on the modified contract to be completed by December 1, 2029, and is committing over $284 million from fiscal 2024 and 2025 procurement funds toward the project.
THAAD interceptors are a cornerstone of U.S. and allied missile defense, designed to intercept and destroy short- to medium-range ballistic missiles using a “hit-to-kill” methodology. Each interceptor, approximately 6.2 meters long and weighing nearly 900 kilograms, can reach speeds above Mach 8 and neutralize targets at distances up to 200 kilometers and altitudes near 150 kilometers. This contract extension reinforces Huntsville’s position as a national stronghold for advanced defense manufacturing. With Redstone Arsenal housing the MDA and Lockheed Martin’s program offices and production lines, the region continues to grow as the heart of U.S. missile defense development