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By: - 21st December 2005 at 08:27 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
from JDW 7 Dec 2005
Israel's anti-ballistic missile test pushes altitude boundaries
ALON BEN-DAVID JDW Correspondent
Tel AvivIsrael's Arrow II has successfully intercepted a medium-range ballistic missile target at a record low altitude The target missile simulated characteristics of an Iranian Shahab-3
Israel's anti-ballistic missile Arrow Weapon System (AWS) successfully intercepted a target simulating an Iranian Shahab-3 medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) in a test over the Mediterranean on 2 December.
The interception was conducted at a record low altitude, considered below the AWS's performance envelope, and determined the operability of the Arrow II Block 3 interceptor, manufactured jointly by Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) and Boeing Integrated Defense Systems.
"We have never before tried the Arrow against the Shahab characteristics, but we know now that we are capable of intercepting all existing ballistic missile threats in the region, whether conventional or non-conventional, and we are developing capabilities to deal with future threats," Director of the Israel Missile Defence Organisation Arieh Herzog told JDW.
"The target during the test reflected some future capabilities of the Shahab," he said.
The target, Rafael Armament Development Authority's Black Sparrow, launched from an Israel Air Force (IAF) F-15 fighter, simulated the involuntary manoeuvres typical to the terminal trajectory phase of the Shahab-3, which separates the warhead and the spent booster upon re-entry to the atmosphere.
The AWS's Green Pine radar detected and acquired the target after launch. The Citrus Tree fire-control system tracked the target and launched one interceptor from the IAF's Arrow battery in Palmachim Air Force Base, south of Tel Aviv. The interceptor acquired the target using its photo-electric sensor and detonated the proximity warhead, spreading a cloud of fragments that destroyed the target. "We went for an extreme interception scenario, pushing the Arrow envelope," Israel Livnat, chief executive officer of IAI's subsidiary Elta, told JDW, but refused to provide specific details of the interception.
However, JDW has learned that the interception took place at an altitude considered to be extremely challenging, as the target was approaching at a speed of M5.0.
Following the interception, IAF's MIM-104 Patriot low- to high-altitude air-defence batteries joined the test, simulating an additional interception at lower altitude. Israel's ballistic missile defence concept is based on a two-tier layered defence in which the AWS constitutes the higher layer and the Patriot an additional, lower layer.
"The Arrow's Block 3, which was tested, significantly expands the interception capabilities," Boaz Levy, head of the Arrow Programme at IAI, told JDW. "It includes both software and hardware upgrades and will enter operational service in the IAF in 2006. The IAF is currently operating the Block 2 version of the Arrow II."
During the previous test, conducted in August 2004 at Point Magu, California, the Arrow II Block 3 failed to intercept a target simulating a separating 'Scud D' MRBM. Following the failure, Arrow tests were suspended for 15 months but have now resumed in Israel. "We have identified the problem that occurred in the previous test and made the adjustment," said Herzog. In another test conducted in the US in July 2004, the AWS successfully intercepted an actual 'Scud B' short-range ballistic missile.
The recent test was the 14th flight test of the Arrow II and the ninth interception test conducted under the Arrow System Improvement Programme. For the first time the interceptor used was co-produced by IAI and Boeing under a USD78 million contract signed in March 2004, under which Boeing is manufacturing some 35 per cent of the Arrow II interceptor.
Other major subcontractors in the programme are Israel Military Industries, producing the interceptor's first-stage engine; Rafael, manufacturing the second-stage engine and the warhead; and Tadiran Systems, which developed and produces the Citrus Tree fire- control system. In 2000 the AWS became operational with the IAF operating two Arrow batteries.
Israel recently decided to change the battery-form deployment of Arrow and instead create a scattered deployment, in which separate launchers will be dispersed. All the launchers will be connected and controlled through a national missile defence centre.
The Arrow test took place as the tension rises between Jerusalem and Tehran, following repeated declarations from Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad that Israel "should be wiped off the map".
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said on 1 December that "Israel cannot accept nuclear weapons in the hands of Iran and is making all necessary preparations to prevent that".
By: - 24th March 2006 at 19:35 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Hows does the Arrow system stack up against a smaller missile, like a SRBM? I would assume with the shorter flight time of the ballistic missile, the Arrow would not be as effective...
By: - 25th March 2006 at 04:42 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
I'd be curious to know how the Arrow II stacks up against the various flavors of S-300V/AN-2500.
Posts: 386
By: alexz33 - 7th November 2005 at 20:16
Israel will carry out an interception test of the missile this year.
Ran Dagoni, Washington 7 Nov 05 10:39
The Israel Air Force (IAF) received the first “Arrow 2” anti-ballistic missile missile on October 31, reports “Jane’s Defence Weekly”. Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd. (IAI) is the chief contractor for the Arrow, and Boeing (NYSE:BA) is the subcontractor. Israel will carry out an interception test of the missile this year.
”Jane’s” received exclusive access to Boeing’s Arrow component assembly plant in Huntsville, Alabama, the home of the US aerospace industry in the US South. During the visit, correspondents saw only “some” Arrow missiles under production. Boeing and IAI declined to disclose the number of Arrow missiles scheduled for manufacture.
However, an Israel defense source told “Jane’s Defence Weekly” that IAI received deliveries of “several missile components” from Boeing on a weekly basis. Israel has two operational Arrow batteries, and reportedly needs 100 missiles for each battery.
Under a $78 million contract IAI and Boeing signed in March 2004, Boeing will supply 35% of the Arrow’s main components and subsystems, including the warhead’s electrical system, the radar shell (radome), missile casing, and electronic subsystems.
The contract came into effect in January 2005 and will expire at the end of 2006, unless the parties exercise options for additional joint production of the Arrow through the end of the second quarter of 2008. If all the options are exercised, the cumulative value of the contract will exceed $225 million.
IAI is responsible for integrating the Arrow’s systems and for final assembly at its MLM Division in Beer Yaakov.
“Jane’s Defence Weekly” said that IAI signed a strategic R&D contract with Boeing in 2002 in an attempt to ensure US administration support for production of the Arrow, and in the hope that a contract with Boeing would pave the way for obtaining US permission to export the Arrow to third countries.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on November 7, 2005