David’s Sling: Will Handle Multiple Threats

March 31, 2016

by: Ilse Posselt, Bridges for Peace

During Operation Protective Edge the world became aware of Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system used to intercept and destroy short-range rockets, artillery shells and mortars to protect its civilians. In just 50 days, Hamas militants fired nearly 5,000 rockets and mortars from the Gaza Strip at Israeli targets. The Iron Dome proved invaluable, achieving an astonishing intercept success rate of 90%, saving countless Israeli lives.

Innumerable video clips of the Iron Dome in action surfaced on social media, turning Israel’s short-range air defense system into an international household name. More importantly, in the heat of battle, the Iron Dome system proved its mettle in keeping Israelis safe from rockets and mortars fired from distances of up to 75 kilometers (47 miles).

Israel is situated in a dangerous neighborhood, surrounded by neighbors eager to spearhead her destruction. Those who wish to annihilate the Jewish state are often well-equipped with more sophisticated weapons than those in Hamas’s arsenal and are fully capable at launching these missiles from a greater distance than 75 kilometers (47 miles).

Israel’s newest addition to its defense arsenal, David’s Sling, is a revolutionary new air defense system that passed its final round of interception tests in December 2015. Scoring hits against various types of mid-range aerial threats, it will be able to keep Israel’s citizens safe from medium-range missiles and other guided threats. According to Israel’s Homeland Security (IHLS), it is now moving towards operational status, and will be deployed to Israel’s Air Force this spring.

David’s Sling was developed to function as part of a multi-layered air defense system. The Iron Dome system has already proven successful as a short-range rocket interceptor. Israel’s long-range ballistic air defense system, Arrow 3, has also passed its final round of tests. As a medium-range interceptor, David’s Sling will fill the operational gap between the Iron Dome and the Arrow.

According to Ynet, David’s Sling will be able to target rockets, aircraft and low-flying cruise missiles within a range of 100 to 200 km (62 to 124 mi). As such, the air defense system has the ability to intercept airborne threats in enemy territory away from Israeli skies, a senior official from Rafael Advanced Defense Systems told The Jerusalem Post.

“David’s Sling has an interception range which ensures intercept before a threat enters Israeli territory,” Ari Sacher of Rafael’s Air Superiority Systems Division said. “This is the first time technology of this kind has been used,” another official from Rafael told The Jerusalem Post. “It is on the verge of science fiction.”