This week the Army is scheduled to hold another test for the Theater High Altitude Air Defense (THAAD) program.

The program is designed to shield U.S. troops in the field by destroying enemy missiles at high altitudes, ramming them at high speeds.

After years of development by its contractor, Lockheed Martin Corp., and a $3.9 billion investment by taxpayers, the program has failed six-consecutive tests and aborted another after the target missile went off course.

With future spending, this program could squander an additional $15 billion in taxpayer funds without showing any signs of success.

With recent concerns of Chinese missiles targeting the United States, increased pressure has been placed on fielding successful missile defense.

Unfortunately, THAAD is not that system. While TCS recognizes THAAD is a program in development and cannot be expected to work perfectly every time, the system’s excessive failures demonstrate that it is inherently flawed and should be cancelled.

Whatever the threat may be, throwing taxpayer money at programs that don’t work is an idea that is off target.

History of THAAD Test Failures

• May 24, 1999 — The Army aborted the seventh test for the THAAD system, after its target missile went off course.
• May 11, 1999– Lockheed Martin Corp. fired the president of its Astronautics division following highly publicized failures of its rocket operations including the THAAD system. The announcement came one week after the corporation conducted an internal review of its missile program.
• March 29, 1999 — The THAAD system launched and missed its target for a sixth-consecutive time. Defense spokespersons blamed a thruster nozzle that blew off during flight.
• May 12, 1998 — The THAAD system failed a fifth-consecutive flight test. A booster rocket misfired and the missile lost control.
• March 6, 1997 — The THAAD missile test failed for the fourth time in a row to hit its target.
• July 1996 — After not being able to locate its target during its third-consecutive unsuccessful test, the THAAD system self-destructed.
• March 22, 1996 — The THAAD system failed in its second-consecutive attempt to intercept its target, as the missile was unable to follow its in-flight command and control orders.
• December 13, 1995 — THAAD’s failed first live-target test