The THAAD, or Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, has been deployed to Israel to help bolster the country's air defenses.Getty ImagesThe US is sending a sophisticated missile defense system to Israel.The THAAD system was described by a former US general as the "best in the world."It could be used to take out Iranian missiles.Amid escalating conflict in the Middle East, the US is stepping up support for Israel with the deployment of its THAAD battery system.THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense), a missile-defense system created by Lockheed Martin, was recently described by retired US General Mark Hertling as the "best in the world."In an interview with CNN on Sunday, Hertling said that the US only has six of the systems in its arsenal.