Iron Dome hits cruise missile in first test of Israel’s triple-tier missile shield
Dec 15, 2020 @ 18:34
Concerns over the Iranian threat drove Israel this month to conduct its first ever combined tests of its multitier missile defense system’s ability to intercommunicate for the simultaneous interception of a mix of incoming threats, including rockets, UAVS, ballistic and cruise missiles. The tests, rated a resounding success, provided valuable data for the ongoing development of the medium-range David’s Sling air defense system, by pitting it against ballistic missiles, as well as showcasing the new capabilities of the Iron Dome. This system, a joint Israel-US project was initially developed to shoot down primitive short-range rockets and mortar fire, mainly from the Gaza Strip. These tests showed Iron Dome to have matured into a weapon capable of intercepting cruise missiles. Batteries were recently acquired by the US for securing overseas bases.
The mid-altitude David’s Sling and short-range Iron Dome both proved they could work in smooth tandem together and with the top tier of the system, the Arrow, which is designed to hit large ballistic missiles at high, exo-atmospheric altitudes, and whose long-range radar arrays were also tested.
https://www.debka.com/iron-dome-hits-cruise-missile-in-first-test-of-israels-triple-tier-missile-shield/
