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Israel, US Missile Defense Agency complete Arrow 3 interceptor flight trial

Arrow 3 missile interceptor test
Illustration: Israel Aerospace Industries file photo of a previous Arrow 3 test

Israel’s Missile Defense Organization (IMDO) and its US counterpart, the US Missile Defense Agency, say they have completed a successful flight test of the Arrow weapon system (AWS) and the Arrow 3 interceptor at a test site in central Israel.

During the January 18 test, AWS radars detected the target and transferred data to the battle management control (BMC). The BMC analyzed the data and established a defense plan.

Two Arrow-3 interceptors were launched toward the target and successfully completed the mission, according to the agencies.

The test was led by Israel Aerospace Industries.

“This test was designed to challenge every element of the Arrow weapon system. Data collected from this test will guide future development of the AWS,” said MDA Director Vice Adm. Jon Hill.

“MDA remains committed to assisting the government of Israel in upgrading its missile defense capability against current and emerging threats.”

“Today we successfully completed a complicated flight test of the Arrow weapon system and the Arrow 3 interceptor. Israeli Ministry of Defense continues its efforts to enhance and to upgrade Israeli Multi-Tier missile defense capabilities for emerging threats in the region,” said Mr. Moshe Patel, IMDO director.

“Since the successful series of tests in Alaska in 2019, we have significantly extended the Arrow weapon system capabilities. I want to express our appreciation to MDA and the US government for long lasting cooperation of more than 30 years to build and strengthen the Israeli Missile Defense.”

The Arrow weapon system, jointly developed by IMDO and MDA, is a central part of Israel’s multi-layered defense array. The defense array is based on four layers: Iron Dome defense system, David’s Sling weapon system, the AWS Arrow-2 and Arrow-3 interceptors. The AWS is designed to intercept ballistic missiles outside of the earth’s atmosphere.

Israel has also begun development of Arrow 4, a new interceptor missile that will address a wide range of evolving threats and eventually replace the Arrow 2 interceptors over the coming decades.