NASHUA, N.H. - BAE Systems Inc. in Nashua, N.H., has signed a seven-year framework agreement with the Department of Defense (DoD) to quadruple production capacity and accelerate delivery of infrared seekers for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptor missile, the company announced.
The THAAD seeker provides infrared sensing and guidance to help defend the United States and allied forces against short-, medium-, and intermediate-range ballistic missile threats.
Under the agreement, BAE Systems will increase annual production of the seekers to meet growing demand and improve delivery timelines for the Lockheed Martin Corp. THAAD program.
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"This new, multi-year agreement provides a long-term demand signal that gives us the confidence to further invest in expanding our capacity and underscores the strength of industry’s collaboration with the Department of Defense," said Tom Arseneault, president and CEO of BAE Systems Inc. "We remain focused on rapidly delivering superior technology at scale to help our warfighters maintain a decisive advantage."
The agreement supports the DoD’s Acquisition Transformation Strategy, which aims to accelerate the delivery, scaling, and fielding of critical defense technologies.
Infrared seeker
The THAAD interceptor relies on a high-resolution infrared seeker to detect, track, and discriminate incoming ballistic missile warheads during the terminal phase of flight. The seeker uses advanced focal plane arrays and signal processing algorithms to identify the heat signature of a target against background clutter, enabling precise tracking even in complex threat environments. This data feeds the guidance system, allowing the interceptor to adjust its trajectory in real time.
Unlike blast-fragmentation systems, THAAD employs a hit-to-kill approach, using kinetic energy to destroy the target. The accuracy of the infrared seeker is critical to this method, as it must maintain continuous track and provide fine guidance updates to ensure direct collision with the incoming warhead, both inside and outside the atmosphere.
BAE Systems said it will expand manufacturing capacity, invest in technology, and develop its workforce to support sustained, high-volume production, while leveraging its supply chain to meet increased demand.
Work on the THAAD seeker is performed at BAE Systems facilities in Nashua, N.H., and Endicott, N.Y.
