Pentagon Expands THAAD Interceptor Production with L3Harris Deal

Why It Matters

The funding secures a ready, high‑altitude defense capability for the U.S. and its allies, reinforcing deterrence amid escalating missile threats.

Key Takeaways

• $400M L3Harris contract for THAAD propulsion components.
• Boost motors and LDACS produced in Alabama, Arkansas, California.
• 150 interceptors fired in Israel‑Iran conflict, 25% total inventory.
• 646 THAAD interceptors procured, many remain undelivered.
• THAAD uniquely intercepts missiles inside and outside atmosphere.

Pulse Analysis

The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system has become a linchpin of U.S. missile‑defense strategy, offering exo‑atmospheric interception that complements Patriot and Aegis assets. Its kinetic‑kill approach, capable of engaging short‑ to intermediate‑range ballistic missiles, gained visibility during the recent Israel‑Iran skirmish, where U.S. operators launched roughly a quarter of the total THAAD inventory. This operational tempo underscores the growing demand for high‑performance interceptors as adversaries expand their missile arsenals.

L3Harris Technologies’ $400 million contract signals a deliberate effort to sustain the defense industrial base that underpins THAAD’s propulsion subsystem. By allocating production of solid‑rocket boost motors to Huntsville and Camden, and LDACS thrusters to Los Angeles, the Department of Defense spreads risk across multiple facilities while leveraging L3Harris’s expertise in precision thrust control. The infusion of capital not only replenishes stockpiles but also drives incremental improvements in component reliability, a critical factor for kinetic kill vehicles that must execute precise trajectory adjustments in the final seconds before impact.

Strategically, the contract reinforces a layered defense posture that deters hostile missile launches and reassures allies in volatile regions. As ballistic‑missile threats proliferate, maintaining a robust THAAD inventory ensures the United States can protect forward bases, critical infrastructure, and civilian populations. The continued investment also positions L3Harris for future upgrades, potentially integrating next‑generation solid‑propellant technologies and advanced guidance algorithms, thereby extending THAAD’s relevance in an evolving threat environment.

Pentagon expands THAAD interceptor production with L3Harris deal

By Emily Ryan Miller · Feb 17, 2026 · Photo by Christopher Neu

• L3Harris received a nearly $400 million contract to produce propulsion components for the U.S. THAAD missile‑defense system.

• The award supports interceptor production after heavy operational use and ongoing demand for ballistic‑missile‑defense capabilities.

L3Harris Technologies has received a contract valued at nearly $400 million to produce additional propulsion components for the U.S. military’s Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, reinforcing production of one of the nation’s primary ballistic‑missile‑defense capabilities.

The award covers the manufacture of solid‑rocket boost motors and Liquid Divert and Attitude Control Systems (LDACS), key components used in THAAD interceptors. L3Harris is supplying the equipment as part of the broader Missile Defense Agency program supporting continued deployment and sustainment of the system, according to a company announcement.

THAAD is designed to intercept short‑, medium‑, and intermediate‑range ballistic missiles during the terminal phase of flight, both inside and outside Earth’s atmosphere. The system uses hit‑to‑kill technology, destroying incoming threats through kinetic impact rather than explosive warheads.

“THAAD is the only U.S. system designed to intercept targets outside and inside the atmosphere, making it a critical part of the United States’ missile defense system,” said Ken Bedingfield, President of Missile Solutions at L3Harris. “THAAD is paramount to the security of this nation and our allies, and we are dedicated to delivering our proven propulsion for years to come.”

Under the contract, L3Harris will manufacture solid‑rocket boost motors at facilities in Huntsville, Alabama, and Camden, Arkansas, while LDACS units will be produced in Los Angeles. The LDACS thruster system provides precise maneuvering capability, allowing the interceptor’s kinetic kill vehicle to adjust trajectory during the final moments before impact.

The award follows continued operational demand for THAAD interceptors amid rising ballistic‑missile threats. According to reporting by The Wall Street Journal, U.S. Army THAAD operators fired more than 150 interceptors during Israel’s recent 12‑day conflict with Iran, working alongside Israeli air and missile‑defense systems to counter waves of incoming ballistic missiles. U.S. officials cited in the report said the number represented nearly a quarter of all THAAD interceptors ever procured by the Pentagon.

Separate reporting by The War Zone, citing the U.S. military’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget request, stated that the Missile Defense Agency has funded procurement of 646 THAAD interceptors to date, although not all have been delivered. The figure does not include interceptor purchases made through foreign military sales.

THAAD remains one of the few systems capable of engaging ballistic‑missile threats at high altitude, providing a layered defense alongside systems such as Patriot and Aegis. Its mobility allows deployment to forward locations, where it can protect military forces, population centers, and strategic infrastructure.