This post is also available in:
עברית (Hebrew)
A successful series of tests was completed today (28/7/19) in Alaska, USA, by the Israel Missile Defense Organization at the Ministry of Defense’s Administration for the Development of Weapons and Technological Infrastructure and the US Missile Defense Agency (MDA). The tests were led by the Israeli Ministry of Defense and IAI (MLM Division), with the defense industries and the Israeli Air Force.
The Arrow 3 is designed to intercept ballistic missiles when they are still outside the Earth’s atmosphere. The series of tests successfully demonstrated the missile’s hit-to-kill capability in high altitudes and outside the atmosphere. In the course of the series, an American AN/TPY2 radar was used, and successfully demonstrated operational connectivity between the Israeli and American systems. The tests took place in Alaska as testing the system’s capabilities could not be operated in Israel.
The Arrow weapon system is a pivotal part of the multi-layered defense array, of which the development is led by the Ministry of Defense. This defense array is based on four operational defense layers: Iron Dome system, David’s Sling system, Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 systems. The successful tests series constitutes an important milestone in Israel’s operational defense capability against current and future threats in the arena, according to the Ministry of Defense’s announcement.
Moshe Patel, director of the Israel Missile Defense Organization, said: “Over 10 years of development with challenges has brought us to this moment when the Arrow 3 weapons system is conducting a series of tests, including the complete interception of a target missile. This is an extraordinary operational and technological achievement for Israel, thanks to the work of thousands of workers, officers and engineers at the Ministry of Defense, the defense industries, the Israeli Air Force and our partners in the US. The fact that the test took place in Alaska, tens of thousands of kilometers from the State of Israel, shows the ability of the Arrow 3 system to successfully withstand any threat. This is a joint and unique activity of the governments of the United States and Israel, which emphasizes the close and strategic cooperation between the countries in the field of missile defense,” he added.
Admiral Jon Hill, head of the US Missile Defense Agency (MDA), said that “this successful series of tests represents a significant milestone in the development of the Arrow weapon system. Our American MDA team and industry partners are committed to helping the State of Israel upgrade its national missile defense capabilities in order to protect itself and the American forces deployed in the region from the growing threats.”
Boaz Levy, General Manager and Executive VP of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) Systems, Missiles & Space Group said: “After a prolonged period of preparations, we successfully completed one of the most complex series of tests ever executed by Israel outside its territory, far away in Alaska. We completed a very successful multi-system interception test, defeating many engineering challenges.”
The primary contractor for the integration and development of the Arrow Weapon System is IAI. Elbit Systems’ Elisra developed the firing management systems. Boeing, Tomer and Rafael are the major subcontractors in the development and manufacturing of the Arrow 3. Rafael is responsible for the development of the target missile and many additional parts of the weapon system.
