A look at America's top missile defense systems

The THAAD, Patriot, and Aegis platforms are America's top missile-defense systems, using powerful radars, an advanced network of sensors, and missiles that can hunt incoming targets.Here's a brief look at how these systems create alayered defense against enemy ballistic missiles.SEE ALSO:We spent a day with the world's most advanced missile system that has China and North Korea spookedTerminal High Altitude Area Defense aka THAADLockheed Martin'sTerminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) is the most advanced missile systemon the planet.THAAD interceptorscan hunt and blast incoming enemy missiles right out of the sky with a 100% success rate.RAW EmbedWhat's more, the interceptors aren't equipped with warheads. This means they usepure kinetic energy to deliver "hit to kill" strikes to incoming targets.Depending on the severity of the threat, THAAD can deployup to eightkill vehicles at once.Lockheed Martin's missile launcher is just one element of the four-part anti-missile system.The graphic below shows the rest of the components needed for each enemy-target interception.Currently there are five THAAD batteries each of approximately 100 soldiersassigned to Ft. Bliss in El Paso, Texas.One of those batteries will bedeployed permanentlyto Guam inorder to deter North Korean provocations and further defend the Pacific region.In July, Washington agreed to equip Seoul with THAAD. The unique missile defense system is slated to be operational by the end of 2017.Source: Missile Defense AgencyPatriot Advanced Capability aka PAC-3The Army'sPAC-3 segment is an upgrade to the proven Patriot missiledefense system. Patriot is able to engage aircraft, drones, short-range ballistic missiles as well as cruise missiles.RAW EmbedThe Patriot system is designed to fire various missile interceptors to counter different threats.LikeTHAAD interceptors, PAC-3 missiles do carry warheads and instead use"hit to kill" contactto obliterate targets.The following infographic from Lockheed Martin shows thePatriot system.Used in conjunction with THAAD, these systems form a multi-tier theater defense.Currently, the US has committed to field Patriot through 2048.Source: Missile Defense AgencyAegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) System aka AegisAdding to the layered tier of missile defense capabilities, is the AegisBallistic Missile Defense (BMD) System.There are currently 84 US Navy ships equipped with Aegis, which is the world's only maritime ballistic missile defense system.RAW EmbedSimilar to THAAD and Patriot systems, Aegis uses "body-to-body" contact to obliterate targets.Aegis-equipped Navy vessels are also able to detect, track and intercept short and medium-range ballistic missiles.Source: Missile Defense AgencySee the rest of the story at Business Insider
Click here to read full news..