Ballistic Missile Defense: Prototype THAAD System
Abstract
During our ongoing review of the Army and the Ballistic Missile Defense Organizations development of the Theater High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile program, we raised issues about the procurement of the prototype-the TH and ID User Operational Evaluation System (UOES). In July 1996,we reported our concern that funding will be committed to THAAD UOES interceptors well before testing provides a basis for assessing the UOESs operational effectiveness. We expressed an additional concern regardingTl3iU.D UOES test limitations in a Letter of Inquiry to the Secretary of Defense. In that January 6, 1997, inquiry, we questioned the Armys current plan to base a decision on UOES interceptor production on the results of test flight 7, then scheduled for late February 1997, using a different focal plane array-platinum silicide-in the interceptors seeker than the focal plane array indium antimonide -which would be installed in all UOES interceptors. We asked the Department of Defense (DOD) to respond to questions relating to the risk of basing a production decision on a configuration different from that planned for production.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 27, 1997
- Accession Number
- AD1154565
Entities
People
- Lee Edwards
- Stan Lipscomb
- Thomas J. Schulz
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office