The Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO) and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) said they completed a successful intercept test on Nov. 20 of the David’s Sling Weapon System.
The system is designed to counter the arsenal of rockets and missiles facing Israel from Hezbollah and Syria.
David’s Sling is a joint development between Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Raytheon [RTN].
The system will become part of Israel’s multi-layered missile defense architecture, which consists of the Arrow Weapon System that counters ballistic missile threats and the Iron Dome system, which intercepts short and medium range rockets. Rafael also makes Iron Dome.
This test, designated David’s Sling Test-2 (DST-2), is the second intercept test of the Stunner interceptor for the David’s Sling Weapon System, and was conducted at a test range in southern Israel, a Defense Department statement said.
A target missile was launched and tracked by the system’s multi-mission radar. The radar transferred flight information to the battle management control system. The Stunner interceptor successfully performed its planned trajectory and destroyed the target.
The weapon system MMR radar is produced by Israel’s IAI unit Elta and also is used by Iron Dome. ElbitSystems’ Elisra unit produces the command and control center.
“The successful test is a major milestone in the development of the David’s Sling Weapon System and provides confidence in future Israeli capabilities to defeat the developing ballistic missile threat,” the IMDO and MDA statement said.