Israel, US complete David’s Sling test

Israel and the United States have completed tests on the latest version of the David’s Sling anti-ballistic missile system, the Defense Ministry says.

During one of the tests, the defense system’s radar array tracked an incoming test missile, calculated its trajectory, and the David’s Sling launched an interceptor missile that “destroyed the target as planned,” the ministry says.

The David’s Sling is being developed by Israel’s Defense Ministry and the US Defense Department’s Missile Defense Agency.

It is one part of a multi-layered missile defense system designed to protect Israel from short-, medium- and long-range attacks. The Iron Dome, for instance, is routinely used to knock down short-range missiles from the Gaza Strip. The now-operational Arrow 3 is designed to intercept long-range ballistic missiles.

A test of the David’s Sling missile defense system (Defense Ministry)

— Judah Ari Gross