Israeli Missile Defense Test Success

Israel has tested a recently developed short range missile system with promising results. The system, called the “Iron Dome,” intercepted and shot down a Grad rocket in a test held in a secret location last week.

The system has been given several guidance system tests in the past, but this was the first test on a live rocket under simulated hostile conditions.

The laser based rocket system is designed to intercept Grad, Katyusha, and Qassam rockets, such as those fired from the Gaza Strip and Lebanon during recent wars. The system will be fully operation by the end of 2010.

This is the first progress in a series of layered rocket and missile defense systems that will eventually keep Israelis safe from both short, medium, and long range missiles. Israel’s state owned Rafael company developed the short range missile system. Engineers from Rafael are working with US based Raytheon to develop a medium range component. Israel is using the US developed Arrow II for long range defense. The Arrow II was designed specifically to intercept the Iranian Shahab long range missile.