What is “Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD)”, sometimes seen in the news?

Correct Answer: An American anti-missile system

Explanation:

Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) is an advanced, transportable anti-ballistic missile defense system designed and built by the United States defense contractor Lockheed Martin for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency.

Key features and details of THAAD include:

1. Role: It is designed to intercept and destroy short, medium, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles during their terminal (descent or final) phase of flight.

2. Mechanism: THAAD uses "hit-to-kill" technology, meaning it relies on kinetic energy (direct collision) to destroy incoming threats rather than carrying a high-explosive warhead.

3. Coverage: It can hit targets both inside (endo-atmospheric) and outside (exo-atmospheric) the Earth's atmosphere, providing a crucial defense layer for troops and population centers.

Therefore, THAAD is accurately described as an American anti-missile system.