Many See Smoke From THAAD Test On Arsenal

Picture of the smoke, from the WHNT News 19 Tower Cam on Monte Sano

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. – Several of you called WHNT News 19 on Thursday morning to ask about a large plume of smoke coming from Redstone Arsenal.  It was due to a large missile test.

Arsenal officials say a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense – THAAD – missile round, was tested at a range on the south side of the installation.  The test was held from approximately 7 to 9 a.m.

The test will verify the system’s compliance with the nation’s Insensitive Munitions law, which mandates that munitions be stable enough to withstand mechanical shocks, fire, and impact.  The test produces a lot of smoke largely due to the JP-8 (11,000 gallons) required to create the necessary test environment.

Information provided by Redstone Arsenal