Israel Successfully Completes A Series of Tests For The David’s Sling Air Defense System
The Israeli Ministry of Defense, Israel Defense Forces, and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems conducted a series of tests in the country’s south to strengthen the multi-layer air defense system and expand the capabilities of the David’s Sling air defense system. The series of tests, which included simulations of attacks from ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, airplanes, and drones, was attended by Israeli defense industry officials from Rafael, Israel Aerospace Industries, and Elbit Systems, as well as senior US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) officials. The successful completion of the tests was described by the ministry as an “important milestone” in Israel’s ability to defend itself against current and future threats in the region.
“The Israeli Air Force, in collaboration with our partners in the field of air defense force building processes, is working tirelessly day and night to unlock the full potential of the system and optimize its performance in various and challenging scenarios,” said Israeli Air Force Chief of Staff Brigadier General Eyal Grinboim. “By testing this model, we have successfully demonstrated our ability to perform successful interceptions in even the most challenging scenarios. Combat soldiers have once again proven their extraordinary operational capabilities.”
These tests took place two months after the David’s Sling air defense system’s first successful operational interception during Operation Shield and Arrow. Shield and Arrow is a military operation launched by the Israel Defense Forces on May 9 in response to missiles launched by the Islamic Jihad organization from Gaza to Tel Aviv. During the five-day operation, 1,469 rockets were fired into Israel from Gaza, and 1,139 rockets crossed into Israeli territory. On May 10, one of these missiles was intercepted by the David’s Sling air defense system.
The air defense system, named after King David, the Old Testament figure who defeated the seemingly invincible Giant Goliath, was developed collaboratively by Israeli defense industry manufacturer Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and American defense industry manufacturer Raytheon. Designed to intercept enemy aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, tactical ballistic missiles, medium-range rockets and cruise missiles, this system supports the second tier of Israel’s multi-layered air defense umbrella. The system, which first became fully operational in April 2017, was utilized for the first time in July 2018 against two SS-21 Tochka tactical ballistic missiles launched from Syria. The system, however, failed to intercept the missiles. From then to now, Israel has made significant improvements to the David’s Sling system’s capabilities.
The David’s Sling system, also known as the “Magic Wand,” is made up of a Transporter Erector launcher, a Multi-Mission Radar (MMR), a combat control station, and a Stunner interceptor missile. Elta, a division of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), developed the system’s radar, and Elisra, a division of Elbit Systems, developed the command-and-control mechanisms. David’s Sling can neutralize targets at altitudes up to 15 km and distances ranging from 40 to 300 km thanks to the Stunner interceptor. The Stunner, which is powered by a triple-pulse solid propellant engine, uses direct hit-to-kill technology to destroy the target.