The US has confirmed it is sending a Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) battery to Israel.
The highly advanced defence system possesses the ability to fend off ballistic missiles inside or outside the atmosphere during their final, or terminal, phase of flight.
The THAAD interceptor doesn’t carry a warhead, instead relying on its own kinetic energy of impact to destroy incoming missiles.
It incorporates four main components: the interceptor, launch vehicle, radar, and fire control system.
Each system consists of six truck-mounted launchers, which carry up to eight interceptors each. Each launcher takes up to 30 minutes to reload.
It requires a crew of 95 soldiers to operate it, which the US is also supplying to Israel. This will mean American boots will be on the ground in Israel for the first time in this war.
The system is rapidly deployable and can be transported via air, land, and sea.
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