NASHUA, N.H., 12 July 2007.BAE Systems has received a $62.3 million contract from Lockheed Martin Corp. to begin production of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Interceptor Seeker.
The seeker provides infrared imagery of the targeted warhead to the missile to guide the interceptor to its target. The first THAAD systems will be fielded in fiscal 2009 and ready for worldwide deployment in fiscal 2010.
Assembly, integration, and testing of production equipment will take place at BAE Systems facilities in Nashua, N.H.; Lexington, Mass.; and Johnson City, N.Y.
"The entire team has been working together to ensure that warfighters receive a missile defense system they can count on to defend themselves and the assets they are protecting," says Mat Joyce, Lockheed Martin vice president and THAAD program manager. "Once fielded, THAAD will network with other systems and sensors to provide the layered missile defense capability required for the future."
Lockheed Martin is THAAD prime contractor and systems integrator. THAAD is designed to defend U.S. and allied soldiers, military assets, and population centers from the threat of ballistic missile attacks.
