Report to Congress on THAAD System

The following is the June 23, 2026, Congressional Research Service In Focus report, The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) System. From the report The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system is a key element of U.S. ballistic missile defense (BMD). THAAD employs interceptor missiles, using “hit-to-kill” technology. Reportedly, THAAD is capable of engaging targets at ranges of 150–200 kilometers (km). THAAD covers the BMD middle tier and defends a larger area than the Patriot Air and Missile Defense System. It complements the Patriot, the Navy’s AEGIS Missile Defense System, and the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) System. A THAAD