In Israel, the Tel Aviv Ministry of Defense has announced that it has successfully launched the effectors of the David’s Sling defense system.
The launches were made by the Israeli Ministry of Defense in collaboration with the Israeli Missile Defense Organization, the United States Missile Defense Agency, and Rafael Advanced Defence Systems, the manufacturer of the system.
This system represents the intermediate level in the multi-layered Israeli defense, with the Iron Dome at the base and the Arrow at the top for missile defense.
In the Israeli inventory, the David’s Sling will replace the US MIM-104 Patriot systems, which, incidentally, have been withdrawn from service for some time.
Features of the David’s Sling
The David’s Sling was developed to deal with threats posed by short-range ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and rockets at distances between seventy and three hundred kilometers.
Of course, the system is able to engage and shoot down combat aircraft, UAS, and remotely piloted aircraft flying at medium and high altitudes over long distances with Stunner or SkyCeptor missiles.
The missile is not equipped with an explosive warhead but hits the target with a direct impact (hit to kill) directed at the target by the AESA-type radar and the electro-optical sensor with which it is equipped.
Finland, coinciding with its entry into NATO, has announced that it has selected the David’s Sling, as part of an initial contract worth 316 million euros with possible options for another 216 million euros.
Source and photo credit @Israel Ministry of Defense
