Israel’s David Sling Successfully Intercepts Missile

Israel has intercepted a test-fired mid-range missile with David’s Sling defense system, also known as Magic Wand, in a first trial run. According to local media reports, the test involved no warhead, a trial involving a warhead to be held by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in the future. David’s Sling’s intercepting missile is an advanced weapon with the possibility of a greater range of activity thanks to its engine, which switches off and on a few times during the flight. Local daily the Jerusalem post said the David’s Sling missile defense system, now being developed by Israel’s defense company Rafael and US defense contractor Raytheon, is designed to “fill the gap between Iron Dome’s short-range protection and the Arrow 2 long-range ballistic missile defense program”. Expected to become operational in 2014, would defend Israel against missiles with a range between 70 kilometers (44 miles) and 300 km (187 miles).