David’s Sling makes first operational interception as it downs rocket over Tel Aviv

During the rocket attack from the Gaza Strip at the Tel Aviv area earlier today, the David’s Sling air defense system was used to successfully intercept one of the projectiles, a military source says.

It marks the first successful interception made by the system.

David’s Sling, produced by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, is capable of intercepting rockets and missiles at a range of 40-300 kilometers (25-185 miles).

David’s Sling, also known as the Magic Wand, has been operational in Israel since 2017 and makes up the middle tier of Israel’s multi-layer missile defense capabilities, which include the short-range Iron Dome and a top level of  Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 systems, which are intended to engage long-range ballistic missiles.

In 2018, in its first known operational use, two interceptor missiles of the David’s Sling system were fired at rockets launched from Syria that appeared to be heading toward Israel but ultimately landed inside Syrian territory