Special to WorldTribune.com

TEL AVIV — Israel has reported a successful interception of its new
missile defense system.

On Nov. 20, Israel and the United States conducted what officials termed
a successful trial of the new David’s Sling.

The officials said David’s Sling, developed by Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and the U.S. company Raytheon, achieved its second interception.

“The Israel Missile Defense Organization and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency completed a successful intercept test of the David’s Sling weapon system against a short-range ballistic missile today,” the Israeli Defense Ministry said.

Officials said the morning test, which took place at a range in southern Israel, focused on the capabilities of the Stunner interceptor, based on Rafael’s Python-5 air-to-air missile. They said the Stunner was directed by the multi-mission radar, produced by Elta Industries, and destroyed the target missile.

“This is the second intercept test of the Stunner interceptor for the
DSWS,” the ministry said. “The intercept test was conducted at a test range
in southern Israel.”

David’s Sling, hampered by delays in 2012, was designed to
intercept incoming missiles with a range of up to 300 kilometers. They
said the system, prepared for deployment in 2014, would play a major role in
Israel’s ballistic missile defense umbrella, which included the Arrow,
Patriot and the Iron Dome.

“The successful test is a major milestone in the development of the
David’s Sling weapon system and provides confidence in future Israeli
capabilities to defeat the developing ballistic missile threat,” the
ministry said.

  Elta Industries, hampered by delays, Israel: David’s Sling system, Python-5 air-to-air missile, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Raytheon, Stunner missile, successful in latest test