Zion successfully tests David's Sling and + Belief in Hashem its Missile Defense is now Complete

Zion successfully tests David's Sling and  + Belief in Hashem its Missile Defense  is now Complete

The Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO) of the Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D) and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) recently conducted David’s Sling Test-3 (DST-3) series of tests, where threat representative targets were successfully intercepted by the David’s Sling Weapon System achieving all test objectives.

DST-3 is the third series of tests of the Stunner Interceptor for the David’s Sling Weapon System. The information collected is being analyzed by program engineers and will be used for ongoing development and fielding of the David’s Sling Weapon System.

The prime contractor for the David’s Weapon System Program is Rafael and Raytheon is a sub-contractor. The Multi Mission Radar is developed by Elta, a subsidiary of IAI. The Battle Management Center known as the Golden Almond, is developed by Elbit systems/ Elisra.

The David’s Sling Weapon System is designed as the middle tier of defense against missiles and rockets, and will improve the active defense architecture of the State of Israel against ballistic missile threats. This test series is a major milestone in the development of the David’s Sling Weapon and provides confidence in future Israeli capabilities to defend against the developing threat.

Israel, US test missile defense systems against thousands of simulated rocketsDavid’s Sling, Arrow and more take part in 5-day intercontinental exercise, as Jerusalem and Washington hammer out aid package

The Arrow 3 missile is launched from Palmachim air base in central Israel on December 10, 2015. (Defense Ministry)The Arrow 3 missile is launched from Palmachim air base in central Israel on December 10, 2015. (Defense Ministry)WRITERSJudah Ari Gross

The United States and Israel successfully conducted a large-scale exercise last month, pitting the countries’ missile defense systems against a simulated attack of thousands of rockets fired from Lebanon and Iran, the Defense Ministry announced Wednesday.

Six missile defense systems were tested in the simulation, which was conducted in both the United States and Israel. The Arrow 2, Arrow 3, David’s Sling, Aegis, Patriot and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), all of which protect against medium- and long-range rockets, were used in the exercise, the ministry said.

“During the test, scenarios consisting of multiple missile and rocket attacks were simulated against Israel with both United States and Israel successfully employing, engaging and destroying the simulated incoming threats,” the Defense Ministry said in a statement.

The famed Iron Dome system, which protects against short-range missiles, was not tested in this exercise.

“The David’s Sling missile defense system, which was recently delivered to the [Israeli] Air Force, participated in the drill as part of its transition to becoming operational,” the Defense Ministry said.

The David’s Sling system, also known as Magic Wand, completed a final set of major tests in December 2015 and was declared operational. It was delivered to the air force in March, but required additional time for installment and training before it could be fully integrated into the country’s missile defense program.

The Arrow 2, Arrow 3 and David’s Sling were joint Israeli-American weapons development projects, while the THAAD, Patriot and Aegis missiles are American-made systems. This exercise, which concluded on June 22, tested the interoperability of those systems to ensure that they could work together in the event of a missile attack.

The Israeli Missile Defense Organization, the American Missile Defense Agency and the US European Command spearheaded the five-day drill, but the tests themselves were carried out by Elisra, a subsidiary of the Israeli Elbit Systems weapons company.

Israel’s missile defense program and its dependence upon US assistance has been a contentious issue in recent months, as negotiations continue for the defense aid package — known as the memorandum of understanding — that America gives to Israel.

According to a report in The New York Times, the next 10-year deal could top $40 billion, and would include a decade-long pledge to fund Israel’s missile defense systems, an arrangement currently funded separately in yearly installments. It has been subject to much controversy recently as the White House and Congress have disagreed over the size of the annual increase for the missile defense program.

The US has either jointly developed or financed all three of the Israeli programs — the Iron Dome, Arrow (long-range) systems, and David’s Sling (medium-range). They are meant to ensure Israel can counter threats from neighboring Gaza, south Lebanon and Syria, as well as from an Iran that is relentlessly developing its ballistic missile systems.