Four antiballistic missile systems are integrated through ground and sea radars, space-based sensors and command systems. Each is designed against different missile threats and all use the force of collision, not explosives, to destroy their targets.
Patriot
Protects battlefield and civilian centers from short-range missiles (185 to 620 miles).
What it is: Surface-to-air guided missile defense system
THAAD
Terminal High Altitude Area Defense protects battlefields and civilian centers from short- to medium-range missiles (185 to 1,865 miles) by attacking them just above the atmosphere.
What it is: Surface-to-air guided missile defense system
Aegis
Ship-based system protects Navy vessels and coastal areas from most missile threats, including intercontinental ballistic missiles.
What it is: An integrated weapons system that uses several kill vehicles depending on the height and speed of the target.
Ground-Based Midcourse
Defense
Silo-based missiles in Fort Greely and Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., designed to stop an intercontinental ballistic missile (greater than 3,400 miles) fired at the United States. It’s not designed to counter a massive attack that could be mounted by Russia or China.
What it is: Three-stage booster rocket propels a kill vehicle above the atmosphere toward the target. A proposed GMD base in Poland would use two-stage boosters.
Source: Department of Defense
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