From Defense Aerospace

 

Statement

(Source: Spokesperson of the Israeli Ministry of Defense; issued Feb. 11, 2007)

 

The Arrow Weapon System marked tonight at 9:18 PM, 11/02/07, an important milestone by completing another successful test.

 

The test, the 15th for the interceptor, the 10th for the complete weapon system, is part of the Arrow System Improvement Program, ASIP, which is being carried out jointly, by Israel and the United States.

 

The objectives of the test were:

 

- To examine improved performance including widening of the interception envelope

- To test the system in an integrated operational configuration engaging two batteries located at a distance from each other.

- To check implementation of lessons from previous tests.

 

Several novel elements marked this test:

- The test took place at night time.

- The target missile simulated a yet nonexistent ballistic missile operating under extreme conditions.

- The interceptor belonged to the first series of interceptors jointly produced by Boeing and Israel Aerospace Industries/ MLM.

 

The target trajectory demonstrated an operational scenario and all the system's components performed in their operational configuration.

 

Immediately after the target was launched, the Arrow Weapon System started its operation.

 

The Fire Control Radar (FCR) acquired the target and sent its data to the Battle Management Command and Control (BMC). A defense plan was issued and a mission command was sent to the launcher. The interceptor was launched and performed its trajectory toward the interception point.

 

The Arrow program is managed by the Israeli Missile Defense Organization in the Research and Development Directorate in the Israeli Ministry of Defense (IMOD), in close cooperation with the US missile Defense Agency (MDA).

 

Israel Aerospace Industry / MLM Division, is the prime contractor of the Arrow Weapon System.

 

The system consists of Elta's Fire Control Radar (FCR), Tadiran Systems' Battle Management Center (BMC), the Launcher Control Center (LCC), and the operational launcher developed by IAI's MLM.

 

The target was Rafael's "Black- Sparrow", and the interceptor belonged to the first series of interceptors jointly produced by Boeing and Israel Aerospace Industries/ MLM.

 

Israel Military Industries is responsible for the first stage engine and Rafael for the second stage engine.

From Jane's Defence Weekly

 

Arrow destroys target simulating a Shahab 3

By Alon Ben-David JDW Correspondent

Tel Aviv

 

Israel's Arrow anti-ballistic missile system successfully intercepted a target simulating an Iranian Shahab 3 medium-range ballistic missile on 11 February during the first test conducted at night.

 

The test was the first time that IAF personnel have managed and conducted the whole interception process.

 

The test was also part of a programme to enhance the Arrow's capabilities against missiles carrying weapons of mass destruction. However, it was carried out against a non-manoeuvring target carrying a single warhead, while Israel is concerned that manoeuvring missiles are about to emerge in the region.

 

According to intelligence sources, Syria, which recently tested its 'Scud D' short-range ballistic missile, is developing manoeuvring capabilities for its 'Scuds', as well as seeking to acquire the Russian Iskander-E (SS-X-26).

 

"We have to be ahead of any evolving threat in the region," Uri Sinai, chief executive officer of IAI's MLM Division, which manufactures the Arrow, told Jane's. Therefore, a newer interceptor version, M5, capable of better manoeuvring, will be tested in the coming months.