NASHUA - BAE Systems' Terminal High Altitude Area Defense infrared imaging seeker successfully engaged a medium-range ballistic missile target recently in what the company called the "largest, most complex missile defense test in U.S. history."

The THAAD weapon system acquired a medium-range missile that was launched from a C-17 aircraft during the 2012 test conducted by the Missile Defense Agency and Lockheed Martin, the THAAD prime contractor and systems integrator, BAE announced Thursday.

With this test, BAE Systems' THAAD seeker has now successfully engaged short- and medium-range ballistic missile targets, the company said. THAAD is designed to defend U.S. and allied soldiers, military assets, and metropolitan areas from ballistic missile attack threats.