Israel and US successfully flight test Arrow-3 anti-ballistic missile system
Updated February 19
The Israel Missile Defense Organization and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency successfully completed a flight test of the Arrow 3 anti-ballistic missile system from a site in central Israel, the U.S. MDA said in a press release.
At 0230 on Monday, February 19, IMDO and MDA “successfully completed a flight test of the Arrow 3 weapons system that is designed to defend against ballistic missiles outside of the atmosphere,” the release said, adding that the test was conducted at a site in central Israel and was led by Israel Aerospace Industries and involved the Israeli Air Force.
“The Arrow 3 interceptor was launched and completed its mission,” the release said. “The success of this test is a major milestone in the operational capabilities of the State of Israel and its ability to defend itself against current and future threats in the region.”
Israel’s Ministry of Defense had earlier confirmed the test in a tweet, and later posted images of the launch:
צפו בתמונות מתוך ניסוי הטיסה המוצלח של מערכת נשק חץ 3 שהושלם הלילה ע"' מנהלת חומה וה-MDA האמריקני pic.twitter.com/BVTK5XUntD
— משרד הביטחון (@MoDIsrael) February 19, 2018
Arrow is one layer of Israel’s multi-layered air defense array which includes Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and the Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 systems.
Arrow 3 is designed to intercept ballistic missiles outside the atmosphere. It may also serve as an anti-satellite weapon.
The primary contractor for the the Arrow Weapons System is MLM of IAI, but Boeing partnered with MLM to develop and produce the Arrow 3 interceptor. Arrow 3 interceptors were delivered to the Israeli Air Force in January 2017, and Arrow 3 was declared operational on January 18, 2017.
