The Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO), of the Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D), in the Israel Ministry of Defense, together with the American Missile Defense Agency (MDA), and the Israeli Air Force (IAF), have completed a successful test of the Arrow 2 weapon system overnight (12.8) at 11:45 p.m. Throughout the test, the Arrow 2 system successfully engaged a Sparrow target missile, which simulates a long-range surface-to-surface missile. The campaign was conducted in accordance to the defense establishment’s plans. The test was led by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and conducted at a site located in central Israel.
The joint Israeli-American test reflects the partnership and friendship between the two countries as well as the deep commitment of the United States to the safety of the citizens of Israel. During the test, the updated capabilities of the Arrow system to contend with current and future threats, were validated. The interception was conducted by IAF service members together with engineers from the institutions involved in the system’s development. The various layers of Israel’s air defense mechanism were employed in this test, in order to ensure their readiness and efficacy in operational scenarios.
The Arrow 2 interceptor is part of the Arrow Weapon System (AWS) which is the world’s first operational, national, stand-alone ATBM (Anti Tactical Ballistic Missiles) defense system. Based on the uniquely effective Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 interceptors, the Arrow modular air defense system detects, tracks, intercepts and destroys incoming TBMs carrying a range of warheads and over a large footprint, thereby protecting strategic assets and population centers. The operational Arrow 2 interceptor is designed to intercept and destroy the incoming TBMs that were detected (located and identified), and tracked by the ELM-2080 Green Pine Radar System.
This successful interception test joins a series of additional achievements, including the Arrow-3 test campaign conducted by the Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO) and Missile Defense Agency last year, in Alaska. Both systems demonstrated advanced operational capabilities. The integration of both systems in Israel Ministry of Defense’s air defense mechanism significantly expands and enhances the state’s capability to defend against current and future threats. The Arrow 2 interceptor is designed to operate in the atmosphere, and out in in space (endo and exo-atmospheric capabilities).
