The Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO) of the Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D) and the US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) successfully complete a test series of the David’s Sling Weapons System, a missile defense system that is a central part of Israel’s multi-tiered antimissile array.

The test series, designated David’s Sling Test-5 (DST-5) was the fifth series of tests of the David’s Sling Weapon System. This test series was conducted at Yanat Sea Range, operated out of Palmachim Air Base, Israel.

“This test campaign is a critical step in ensuring Israel has the capability to defense itself from a very real and growing threat,” said US Missile Defense Agency Director Vice Adm. Jim Syring. “We remain strongly committed to supporting Israel’s development of a missile defense system.”

The test examined capabilities and performance of the entire David’s Sling Weapon System. Threat-representative targets were launched and successfully intercepted by Stunner missiles. The Multi-Mission Radar (MMR) detected the target after launch and transferred flight information to the Battle Management Center (BMC), which calculated the defense plan. The interceptors were successfully launched, performed all flight phases and engaged the targets as planned. Preliminary analysis indicates that test objectives were successfully achieved.

The information collected during the test is being analyzed by program engineers and will be used for ongoing development and fielding of the David’s Sling Weapon System. This test series provides confidence in future Israeli capabilities to defend against large-caliber rockets and other developing threats.

The David’s Sling Weapon System project is a cooperative effort between the United States and Israel to develop a defense against large caliber rockets and short-range ballistic missiles.

The prime contractor for the David’s Sling Weapon System Program is Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, with Raytheon Missile Systems as a sub-contractor. The MMR is developed by Elta, a subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries. The BMC, known as the Golden Almond, is developed by Elisra, an Elbit subsidiary.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)