The Israeli Air Force on Wednesday was set to receive its first David's Sling batteries, the cutting-edge midrange missile defense system that has been in development since 2006 in a joint Israeli-American venture. The system became operational in late December after completing a series of successful tests. Its delivery to the IAF will be gradual, with its radar and command and control components delivered ahead of the interceptor systems. The process is expected to be completed within a few weeks. David's Sling, considered one of the most advanced interceptor systems in the world, was developed by Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and U.S.-based Raytheon Co. The radar was developed by ELTA Systems, a subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries, and the command and control systems were developed by the Elisra Group, a subsidiary of defense electronics manufacturer Elbit Systems. David's Sling is designed to intercept medium- to long-range rockets and cruise missiles, fired at ranges of 40 to 300 kilometers (25 to 190 miles). Together with the Iron Dome and Arrow defense systems, David's Sling is part of Israel's multi-tier missile defense program. Iron Dome is designed to intercept short-range rockets and artillery shells fired from distances of 4 to 70 kilometers (2.5 to 43 miles), while the Arrow series comprises long-range ballistic missile interceptors. A Defense Ministry official told Israel Hayom that Israel enjoyed "outstanding" collaboration with the U.S. on the system's funding and development. The system's delivery to the IAF coincidentally coincided with the last phase of Juniper Cobra 16, a massive joint Israeli-American air defense exercise held in Israel over the past week. Col. (res.) Aviram Hasson, acting director of the Defense Ministry's Homa Directorate, which oversees the development of Israel's missile defenses, said David's Sling "has faced a wide range of challenges during its testing phase. We wanted to make sure that when the time comes, it will perform as expected." Hasson described the advanced interceptor as "a 'Swiss army knife.' Since David's Sling is a midrange interceptor it can lock onto various targets -- there are all sorts of things flying in the [midrange] sphere -- it can intercept heavy and precision rockets, and in the future it will be able to intercept cruise missiles." Ultimately, he said, "Homa will produce a full protective shield that will counter anything on any of the three flight tiers."
IAF receives first David's Sling defense system batteries
Delivery of cutting-edge midrange missile interceptor to the Israeli Air Force to take several weeks • Defense Ministry official: David's Sling has faced a wide range of challenges to make sure that when the time comes, it will perform as expected.
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