The U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) successfully launched the most advanced version of the Patriot missile from a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system (THAAD).
The U.S. military says it now has a multi-tiered missile defense capability with the ability to counter threats.
THAAD is a surface-to-air missile defense system, used by the United States of America and a number of its allies for the protection of forces, major populated areas, and infrastructure, against ballistic missiles.
The THAAD system can intercept short and medium-range ballistic missiles in and out of the atmosphere.
The THAAD missile does not carry any warheads, but it uses kinetic energy upon impact to destroy the target.