Israel and U.S. Successfully Complete David's Sling Weapon System Intercept Test Series

The Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO) of the Directorate of Defense
Research and Development (DDR&D) and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA)
successfully complete a test series of the David's Sling Weapons System, a
missile defense system that is a central part of Israel's multi-tiered
antimissile array.

The test series, designated David's Sling Test-5 (DST-5) was the fifth
series of tests of the David's Sling Weapon System. This test series was
conducted at Yanat Sea Range, operated out of Palmachim Air Base, Israel.

"This test campaign is a critical step in ensuring Israel has the capability
to defense itself from a very real and growing threat," said U.S. Missile
Defense Agency Director Vice Adm. Jim Syring. "We remain strongly committed
to supporting Israel's development of a missile defense system."

The test examined capabilities and performance of the entire David's Sling
Weapon System. Threat- representative targets were launched and successfully
intercepted by Stunner missiles. The Multi- Mission Radar (MMR) detected the
target after launch and transferred flight information to the Battle
Management Center (BMC), which calculated the defense plan. The interceptors
were successfully launched, performed all flight phases and engaged the
targets as planned. Preliminary analysis indicates that test objectives were
successfully achieved.

The information collected during the test is being analyzed by program
engineers and will be used for ongoing development and fielding of the
David's Sling Weapon System. This test series provides confidence in future
Israeli capabilities to defend against large-caliber rockets and other
developing threats.

The David's Sling Weapon System project is a cooperative effort between the
United States and Israel to develop a defense against large caliber rockets
and short-range ballistic missiles.

The prime contractor for the David's Sling Weapon System Program is Rafael
Advanced Defense Systems, with Raytheon Missile Systems as a sub-contractor.
The MMR is developed by Elta, a subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries.
The BMC, known as the Golden Almond, is developed by Elisra, an Elbit
subsidiary.