The first test of a remotely-launched Terminal High Altitude Area Defense interceptor missile was called a success on Friday by the Missile Defense Agency.

"Preliminary indications are that planned flight test objectives were achieved and the target was successfully intercepted by the THAAD weapon system," MDA said in a statement.

"The test, designated Flight Test THAAD (FTT)-23, was the first time the THAAD system used a government-developed remote launcher kit that extended the range of the defended area," the agency said.

The THAAD system, made by Lockheed Martin, is designed to intercept threats from inside and outside the Earth's atmosphere. It has had 16 consecutive successful launches and interceptions, but the test early Friday demonstrated the capability of engaging the system remotely with a government-developed remote launcher kit.

The test was conducted at the U.S. Army Garrison Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands by the U.S. Army's E-62 Battery of the 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade.

Radar operations, as well as launcher and fire control operations, were conducted during Friday's test. Those in the battery firing the missile used a combat procedure and were unaware of the target-launch timing.

The ability to launch an interceptor remotely achieves a more layered approach to regional ballistic missile defense.

"The enhanced THAAD system performed flawlessly in today's test, and we are proud to support the Missile Defense Agency and U.S. Army as they continue to demonstrate the system's unmatched capabilities," Richard McDaniel, Lockheed Martin's vice president of Upper Tier Integrated Air and Missile Defense Systems, said in a press release. "This successful test paves the way for delivery of an urgent need capability that will enhance THAAD's emplacement options resulting in greater asset protection."

Raytheon nabs $10.8M contract to support Kuwait's Patriot missiles
Washington (UPI) Aug 30, 2019 - A division of Raytheon Co. was awarded a $10.8 million contract modification for work on Kuwait's Patriot missile system, the U.S. Defense Department announced.

Raytheon Southeast Asia Systems Co. will offer technical assistance, planning, training, maintenance and sustainment to Kuwait, in addition to pertinent equipment and logistics support.

Kuwait is equipped with an unknown number of land-based PAC-2 medium range Patriot air defense missiles and PAC-3 ground-based/mobile Patriot missiles. It also has variations of the older, Italian-made Spada air defense system and its predecessor, the U.S.-made Skyguard ground based air defense system.

Its defense ministry has also requested two more Patriot batteries and 100 missiles in light of a growing threat from Iran.

The contract announced by the Defense Department on Thursday calls for work to be done at Raytheon's facility in Andover, Mass., with a completion date of Dec. 31, 2020.

Bahrain, a neighbor of Kuwait and partner in Arab-coalition military missions, agreed to purchase the Patriot missile defense system, manufacturer Raytheon Co. announced on Aug. 14.

In May, the State Department endorsed Bahrain's interest in the system and other military equipment from the U.S. Army, approving a deal carrying an estimated cost of $2.47 billion, with options to purchase other material that would push the order past $6 billion.

Related Links
Learn about missile defense at SpaceWar.com
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Russia receives India's advance payment for S-400 air defence systems
Zhukovsky (Sputnik) Aug 30, 2019
Washington has repeatedly criticised India's defence cooperation with Russia since it sees the country as its major partner in Southern Asia. The United States made an attempt in 2018 to prevent India from reaching the deal with Russia on purchasing the S-400s. Russia has received from India an advance payment for S-400 air defence missile systems, the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation revealed on Thursday. "As for India's advance payment for the S-400s, this matter has been ... read more