Washington is planning to develop the THAAD 6.0 hypersonic missile defense system, equipped with laser weapons and controlled by artificial intelligence (AI), to improve its ability to deal with airborne maneuvering targets.

To enhance defense capabilities, the US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has awarded Lockheed Martin a $2.81 billion contract to develop the next-generation Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system.

THAAD is designed to intercept short-, medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles in their terminal phase of flight.

AI-integrated radar distinguishes decoy targets

The latest version of THAAD 6.0 is designed to enhance its ability to deal with maneuverable airborne targets. Using "hit-to-kill" technology, the system has a range of about 200km.

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The new US defense system is upgraded with AI, microwave weapons and improved Patriot missiles. Photo: Overt Defense

THAAD 6.0 will better integrate with the upgraded Patriot MSE defense system, while also improving cybersecurity measures.

Although still in development, the system is expected to use advanced X-band tracking radar, which has greater range and greater accuracy.

Built-in AI helps distinguish between real missiles and decoys based on real training data, predict flight trajectories and make split-second decisions.

In addition to the radar improvements, the new defense system has also been upgraded to counter hypersonic missiles. The Kinetic Kill Vehicle (KKV) is one of the key improvements that increases the ability to accurately attack hypersonic glide vehicles.

Directed energy weapons

One of the notable elements of the new generation THAAD system is the ability to integrate directed energy weapons, including high-energy lasers and microwave interceptors.

These technologies could help neutralize threats while they are still in orbit, significantly improving defensive performance. Future versions of THAAD could be modular or mobile, allowing deployment on ships, aircraft or ground platforms, extending the range of protection and increasing tactical flexibility.

The system can destroy targets with super-fast interceptor missiles or laser beams. With the support of advanced technologies such as scramjet engines and solid-fuel engines, the interceptors will be faster and more effective.

THAAD 6.0 uses high-powered lasers to melt or disable missiles in their final stages of flight. Microwaves can create an “invisible shield” against multiple threats at once.

This means that in the future, the US can shoot down enemy missiles without using traditional interceptor missiles.

AI is being applied by the US military in many aspects of weapons systems, from tactical support to autonomous control. Currently, the Pentagon is using this technology to analyze battlefield data, provide augmented reality images through display screens, identify threats or priority targets or friendly positions.

In the next decade or two, the US plans to equip soldiers with smart sniper rifles. AI guns will be able to assist soldiers in aiming, classify threats or non-threats, display allies and mission target details.

(According to Overt Defense, Popular Mechanic, DefOne)

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