On August 12, the Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO) and U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) conducted a joint test of the Arrow missile defense system. Designated Arrow Weapon System Test-18a (AST-18a), the event featured an Arrow 2 interceptor successfully engaging a medium-range ballistic missile target over the Mediterranean Sea. The interceptor was launched from a...
On June 2, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) announced it had test fired two LORA (Long-Range Artillery) missiles. The launches took place from a ship in the Mediterranean Sea, with the missiles successfully striking separate, floating targets located 90 and 400 km away. According to one IAI executive, the trial “tested the system’s maneuvering, strike and...
On March 7, the U.S. Army scrapped plans to purchase two additional batteries of the Israeli-built Iron Dome missile defense system by 2023. In earlier remarks, Army officials cited the system’s untested record against advanced cruise missiles and Israel’s reluctance to share software source code as a central reason for the cancellation. According to Futures...
On January 12, the Israeli Defense Ministry announced it had successfully tested an “upgraded and improved version” of the Iron Dome missile defense system. According to Israel’s Missile Defense Organization, the tests “simulated the future threats that the [Iron Dome] system may confront,” and validate the upgraded system prior to its entry into service. Introduced...
Israel reportedly fired four cruise missiles into the Damascus area on December 22, killing at least three non-Syrian nationals. According to reports, Israeli aircraft fired the missiles from Lebanese airspace; Syrian state media claimed on Sunday that the army’s air defense system successfully intercepted the attack. In a later statement, the Syrian Army claimed to...
On December 6, Israel tested an unnamed rocket propulsion system from a base in the country’s central region. In a statement, Israel’s defense ministry said the test “was scheduled in advance and was carried out as planned.” A ministry spokesperson provided no further comment on the launch. Related Links: Israel conducts missile test defense ministry...
On November 19, the Israeli Defense Forces stated its Iron Dome missile defense system had intercepted four rockets fired over the Golan Heights. Speaking later to media, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz blamed Iranian-backed militias in Syria for the attack. Syrian sources later reported that Israel launched five missiles at targets in Damascus, causing explosions...
On September 2, Hezbollah fighters launched multiple antitank missiles at Israeli forces on the Lebanese border, causing a brief exchange of fire but reportedly no casualties. The attacks came after Israel killed two Hezbollah commanders in Syria last week. According to local reports, the skirmish lasted an hour. Related Links: Hezbollah retaliates against Israel with...
Speaking at the Space and Missile Defense Conference in Huntsville, Alabama, U.S. Army procurement official Daryl Youngman confirmed the purchase of two Iron Dome systems to fulfill its interim rocket and cruise missile defense requirements. According to reports, the United States will spend $373 million to acquire the two batteries, pursuant to a fiscal 2019...
On July 28, the Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO) and U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) successfully tested the Arrow 3 missile defense system in Alaska. In a statement, MDA said that the missile struck three targets outside of the atmosphere. The test was the first to demonstrate Arrow 3’s integration with the U.S.-made AN/TPY-2 radar...
