Under the MDA's previous THAAD schedule, the missile defense capability would be deployable worldwide in fiscal year 2012, Driessnack told reporters here Aug. 16 at the Army's annual Space and Missile Defense conference.

However, when combatant commanders began “screaming” that they wanted to get the capability to the field as quickly as possible, the agency formulated a plan to run testing activities concurrently, to shave two years off the program -- placing the system in the field at the end of FY-09 or in early FY-10, Driessnack added.

In order to achieve this goal, several program changes were approved this summer.

First, the agency, identified the “essential” aspects of THAAD ground testing. The agency looked at regions where combatant commanders were “confident” the system would be used (humid and desert environments). It also examined the most likely modes of transportation needed to get the system into those regions (by aircraft), Driessnack told reporters.

That way, the agency could eliminate certain tests like the ability to move THAAD via railroad, according to Driessnack.

Next, program officials identified ways the testing agency could collect as much data as possible during developmental activities, so the “limited user test” could be shortened. Accordingly, developmental activities at White Sands Missile Range, NM, will help testers collect data on how the system will operate in desert conditions, while developmental activities at the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kauai, HI, will provide insight as to how the system will operate in humid climates, Driessnack explained.

As previously planned, the agency will purchase two THAAD fire units -- the first to be delivered in FY-09 and the second coming the following fiscal year -- while developmental activities are ongoing.

Driessnack said buying this equipment early will give soldiers time to train on the system in preparation for the limited user test.

By running the testing and training activities in parallel, MDA officials have been able to cut two years from the testing program and more than $100 million, he added.

THAAD is a ground-based system designed to protect forward-deployed troops and population centers from short-range, medium-range and intermediate-range ballistic missiles. It uses a hit-to-kill, kinetic-energy warhead to intercept missiles during their final phase of flight, either outside the atmosphere or very high up in the atmosphere.

In November 2005, MDA conducted its first THAAD flight test since 1999, when the system was put back on the drawing board to make it more reliable, more easily manufactured and easier to test.

In May, the second flight test of the revamped system was conducted and was billed as a success. However, this “walk-up” missile characterization flight test was slipped several months.

“As with most complex systems, technical discoveries have delayed completion of interceptor qualification, integration and assembly. However, confidence continues to build as issues are identified and resolved and functionality is tested and demonstrated along the path to flight,” Driessnack said in September 2005.

Then, last month during the third THAAD flight test, the system intercepted a target for the first time. Although this test was designed primarily to demonstrate the interceptor seeker's ability to characterize a ballistic missile target in the high-endoatmosphere, the system successfully intercepted a non-separating unitary Hera target.

According to MDA's plan, two more tests will be conducted at the New Mexico range.

Flight Test-04 -- the first in the series billed as an intercept attempt -- will take place next month, Driessnack said last week. During the fourth test, a separating target -- a missile with a warhead that separates from its booster -- will be launched at the New Mexico range. Additionally, this test is slated to be the first opportunity for soldiers to operate the entire system.

The last test at White Sands, Flight Test-05, is slated to be held soon after the fourth test, Driessnack said, adding it will be another non-intercept, missile-“only” characterization test designed to examine how the THAAD kill vehicle operates in the lower atmosphere.

In January 2007, MDA will begin testing the system at PMRF.