David's Sling

David's Sling Missile System

David's Sling Weapons System Stunner Missile launch during final milestone test
Type Medium to Long Range SAM/ABM
Place of origin  Israel /  USA
Service history
In service  Israel: Israel Defense Forces (2016)
Production history
Designer Rafael Advanced Defense Systems
Designed 2009–present
Manufacturer Rafael And Raytheon
Produced 2014–present
Specifications
Propellant two-stage missile
Operational
range
 300 km
Flight ceiling 50–75 km
Flight altitude 30–50 km
Speed Mach 7.5
Guidance
system
 AESA Millimeter 3D Radar + Dual Electro-Optical / (FPA) / Imaging Infrared (CCD/IIR) Seeker + Advanced Asymmetric 360 Degree Multi Seeker Sensor Engagement + 3 Way Data Link With Advanced Real-time Automatic and Manual Re-targeting Capability + Advanced ECCM & IRCCM
Steering
system
 Advanced Asymmetric Kill Vehicle With Advanced Super Maneuverability Steering Capability For Super Maneuver Trajectory During Kill Stage
David's Sling Weapons System Stunner Missile intercepts target during inaugural flight test

David's Sling (Hebrew: קלע דוד‎), also sometimes called Magic Wand (Hebrew: שרביט קסמים‎), is an Israel Defense Forces military system being jointly developed by the Israeli defense contractor Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and the American defense contractor Raytheon, designed to intercept tactical ballistic missiles, medium- to long-range rockets and cruise missiles, fired at ranges from 40 km (24.85 miles) to 300 km (186.41 miles).[1] David's Sling is meant to replace the MIM-23 Hawk and MIM-104 Patriot in the Israeli arsenal.[2] It is designed to intercept the newest generation of tactical ballistic missiles, such as Iskander, using an on-board dual CCD/IR seekers to distinguish between decoys and the actual warhead of the missile, in addition to tracking by Elta EL/M-2084 Active electronically scanned array multi-mode radar.[3][4][5] The multi-stage interceptor consists of a solid-fuel, rocket motor booster, followed by an asymmetrical kill vehicle with advanced steering for super-maneuverability during the kill-stage. A three-pulse motor provides additional acceleration and maneuverability during the terminal phase.[6] David's Sling was planned to be deployed in 2015, but budget shortfalls for infrastructure for deployable missile batteries will delay its operational date.[7]

David's Sling is meant to bolster the second tier of Israel's theater missile defense system. The two-stage radar and electro-optic guided system has a 70–300 kilometer range, three times that of Iron Dome. The system can be deployed against aircraft and missiles, with plans to convert the system to intercept cruise missiles in the future.[8]

The name David's Sling comes from the biblical story of David and Goliath.[9] It will form one level of Israel's future multi-tiered missile defense system that Israel is developing, which will also include Arrow 2, Arrow 3, Iron Dome and Iron Beam from as early as 2018.

Development

The interceptor is a two-stage missile, with two targeting and guidance systems installed in its nose-tip (a radar and an electro-optical sensor). In 2006 Rafael was awarded a contract to develop a defense system to counter the threat of medium- to long-range rockets with ranges between 70 and 250 km (43 and 155 mi). In order to enable Israel to make use of the financial aid provided by the United States to further develop the system and to produce it, a partnership was established with Raytheon which will develop the missile firing unit and overall logistic system and assist Rafael with developing the interceptor. In some of Raytheon's publications, the interceptor is referred to as "Stunner". In November 2012, David's Sling was expected to enter operational service in 2013 or 2014.[10] David's Sling owes much to the SPYDER programme's modified Python 5 and DERBY seeker technology.[2]

The increasing danger of rocket and missile fire against Israel (Qassam rocket fire from Gaza, Katyusha rocket fire from southern Lebanon, and Iran's ballistic missile arsenal) has led to the development of defense systems to counter this threat. In addition to the David's Sling system, which is designed to intercept medium- and long-range rockets, the Iron Dome system, a separate system with which it will be used in conjunction, designed to intercept short-range rockets (4–70 km), and the Arrow missile, a separate system designed to intercept ballistic missiles, are already in use.

On 25 November 2012, Israel successfully tested the Stunner interceptor missile. The David's Sling battery, stationed at an undisclosed desert location in Southern Israel, fired and destroyed the incoming missile with a two-stage interceptor.[11][12]

In late November 2014, the IDF revealed that the David's Sling system would soon be deployed in various areas around Israel for a trial period before becoming operational. Initial trials will focus on its ability to intercept short and medium-range rockets and missiles with a range of coverage three times greater than Iron Dome. After that, the system needs to undergo two further trials, testing its ability to intercept aircraft and longer-range missiles and then cruise missiles. David's Sling will be linked up to the Home Front Command's command and control systems, as well as also having its own independent interception management center.[13]

In February 2015, Israel asked the US Congress for $250M in additional assistance in producing David's Sling. US Companies that would be awarded contracts include Raytheon Co.; Arlington, Virginia-based Orbital ATK Inc.; and Falls Church, Virginia-based Northrop Grumman Corp.[14] Other defense websites reported that Israel had requested US $150M in funding for the procurement phase, which will include two systems controlling multiple fire units, covering the entire area of Israel.[15] Still other sources said development costs for David's Sling were capped to around $250M so far. The $150M request is for initial procurement of one or two batteries. Since two batteries can cover the whole territory of Israel it is clear that Israeli initial procurement will start with just two batteries.[16]

On 21 December 2015, the David's Sling Weapon System (DSWS) demonstrated its ability to destroy salvos of heavy long-range rockets and short-range ballistic missiles, completing the first block of developmental tests. With the testing regiment completed, the system is slated for delivery to the Israeli Air Force in the first quarter of 2016. David's Sling will protect areas above the short-range Iron Dome and under the upper-atmospheric Arrow-2, particularly against threats like Syrian Khaibar-1 302 mm rockets and the Iranian Fateh-110 used by Hezbollah, as well as the Scud-B.[17]

Foreign interest

On 17 November 2010, in an interview Rafael's Vice President Mr. Lova Drori confirmed that the David's Sling system has been offered to the Indian Armed Forces.[18]

In October 2015, it became publicized that all six countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) were interested in procuring the Israeli David's Sling missile defense system as a response to the Iranian missile threat. This comes after U.S. urging for GCC members to more closely cooperate on missile defense through joint procurement and information sharing. Any deal however would occur between Raytheon and other American companies, partly because of their involvement in the development of the system, and partly because of continuing local attitudes towards Israel.[19]

PAAC-4

According to Lieutenant General Henry Obering, former director of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, "We wanted a truly co-managed program because the United States will be very interested in this for our own purposes."[1]

In July 2013, Raytheon revealed it was working with international partners to develop a new air-defense missile system. The system is based on the AN/MPQ-53 radar from the MIM-104 Patriot, a Kongsberg/Raytheon Fire Direction Center, and the Rafael Stunner surface-to-air missile.[20]

In August 2013, Raytheon and Rafael began to seek funding for a fourth-generation Patriot intercepting system, called the Patriot Advanced Affordable Capability-4 (PAAC-4). The system aims to integrate the Stunner interceptor from the jointly-funded David's Sling program with Patriot PAC-3 radars, launchers, and engagement control stations. The two-stage, multimode seeking Stunner would replace single-stage, radar-guided PAC-3 missiles produced by Lockheed Martin. Government and industry sources claim the Stunner-based PAAC-4 interceptors will offer improved operational performance at 20 percent of the $2 million unit cost of the Lockheed-built PAC-3 missiles. The companies are seeking $20 million in U.S. government funding to demonstrate cost and performance claims through a prototype PAAC-4 system. Israeli program officials have said that a previous teaming agreement between Raytheon and Rafael would allow the U.S. company to assume prime contractor status, and produce at least 60 percent of the Stunner missile in the United States. The Missile Defense Agency has said that the U.S. Army is considering use of the Stunner as a potential solution to future U.S. military requirements.[21]

References

  1. 1 2 https://fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/RL33222.pdf
  2. 1 2 Israeli Patriot Replacement - Strategypage.com, 13 December 2012
  3. ↑ "Israel scrambles the 8th Iron Dome unit with David’s Sling elements". Missilethreat. 2014-07-11. Retrieved 2015-01-30.
  4. ↑ Israel Missile Chronology Nuclear Threat Initiative, 2010
  5. ↑ "New Israeli Anti-Rocket Projects Move Ahead", Aviation Week & Space Technology, Robert Wall, 06/23/2008
  6. ↑ Missile-Killing Interceptors Eyed By Israel, US, Aviation Week's DTI, David A. Fulghum, 23 September 2010
  7. ↑ "Israel's David's Sling missile shield unlikely to be ready in 2015". Reuters. 21 May 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
  8. ↑ "Hamas Escalates Rocket Tests as IDF Readies 'David's Sling' Interceptors". The Algemeiner. 4 December 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  9. ↑ http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2012/11/13/israel-missile-defense-system/1703221/
  10. ↑ "First successful David's Sling interception caught on film". Times of Israel. 27 November 2012. Retrieved 27 November 2012.
  11. ↑ "New pillar of defense: Israel successfully test fires David's Sling". Russia Today. 26 November 2012. Retrieved 2012-11-25.
  12. ↑ "David's Sling System - First Successful Interception Test". Israel Defense. 2012-11-25. Retrieved 2012-11-26.
  13. ↑ Israeli-made David Sling air defense missile system will be soon deployed for trial period by IDF - Armyrecognition.com, 30 November 2014
  14. ↑ Israel said to seek additional $300 million from US for missile defense - TimesofIsrael.com, 28 February 2015
  15. ↑ Following a successful test series David’s Sling to become operational this year Defense-Update.com, 1 April 2015
  16. ↑ "David's Sling Adds to Israel’s Air Defense"]. Aviation Week. ShowNews. 15 June 2015. Retrieved 29 July 2015. |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  17. ↑ David’s Sling System Shows Ability To Destroy Rockets, Missiles - Defensenews.com, 21 December 2015
  18. ↑ "Rafael Confirms Offer of Iron Dome, David's Sling to Indian Armed Forces". India Defence. 17 November 2012. Retrieved 2011-09-05.
  19. ↑ Gulf countries interested in Israeli air defence systems - Armyrecognition.com, 15 October 2015
  20. ↑ Raytheon proposes air-defence system based on the Stunner missile - Janes.com, 4 July 2013
  21. ↑ Raytheon-Rafael Pitch 4th-Gen Patriot System - Defensenews.com, 31 August 2013

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