S-400 Vs. THAAD
Today we are going to explore the missile defense system of US
and Russia. THAAD is the missile defense system of US while S400 and S500 are
missile defense system of Russia. First we will explore America’s missile
defense system THAAD.
THAAD stands for Terminal High Altitude Area Defence and
this is a anti-ballistic missile defense system means it is specially designed
to counter ballistic missiles. This system is capable to engage short range as
well as intermediate range ballistic missiles. This system is manufactured by American
company Lockheed martin and was deployed in US army in year 2008. On other hand
S400 was designed especially as anti-aircraft weapon system and this missile
defense system is capable to engage strategic bomber aircraft, electronic
warfare aircraft, early warning radar aircraft and even stealth aircraft of
enemy. It can also engage short range cruise missile as well as ballistic
missiles with range of 3500 km. S400 missile defense system is manufactured by company
MKB Fakel and was deployed in Russian military in year 2007. S500 is an
upgraded version of S400. As per experts and company S500 missile defense
system can engage intercontinental ballistic missiles along with hyper sonic aircraft.
However this version is still under development stages and expected that it will
be deployed in Russian forces by year 2020. It we talk about basic
characteristics, it will resembles like US THAAD.
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Specifications:
THAAD missile defense system is capable of destroying target
with speed of mach 8.24 and maximum operational range 200 km also this system
can destroy intermediate range ballistic missiles in their terminal phase. But this
system is only designed to counter ballistic missiles and like S400 this
missile defense system cannot target/engage advance aircrafts like FGFA while S400 is
capable of destroying target with speed of mach 14 and maximum operational
range. S400 missile defense system can engage aircraft and missiles but the
accuracy to destroy ballistic missiles is less than THAAD missile defense
system while the advance version of S400 i.e. S500 is more advance system than both
THAAD and S400 because it has operational range of 600 km and easily engage
short range as well as hyper sonic cruise missiles. Currently Lockheed martin is
working on upgrade version of THAAD and the area of hyper sonic weapons are the subject of focus. S500 is superior to both THAAD and S400 but this version is in
under development stage while other two systems are completely developed and
are in service.
If you are comparing S400 and THAAD then remember, even if
THAAD and S400 are missile defense system but the purpose to design and
manufacture was different. THAAD is especially designed to anti-ballistic
missile while S400 is designed as anti-aircraft weapon system along with
features to engage ballistic missiles as well as cruise missiles. S400 can
engage 80 targets at a single time on other hand THAAD is designed to counter
only ballistic missiles beside this no especial feature is added to the system.
Also THAAD cannot engage multiple targets like S400 at a single time.
Conclusion:
Keeping all the features in mind explored above it can be
said that S400 missile defense system is more advance than THAAD .
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