David's Sling

David's Sling Missile System
File:David sling missile.jpg A model of the interceptor missile used by the David's Sling system
Type	SAM
Place of origin	Israel
Production history
Designer	Rafael Advanced Defense Systems
Specifications
Propellant	two-stage missile
Guidance system	radar and an electro-optical

David's Sling (Hebrew: קלע דוד), also sometimes called Magic Wand (Hebrew: שרביט קסמים), is an Israel Defense Forces military system being jointly developed by the Israeli defense contractor Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and the American defense contractor Raytheon, designed to intercept medium- to long-range rockets and cruise missiles, such as those possessed by Hezbollah, fired at ranges from 40 km to 300 km.

The interceptor is a two-stage missile, with two targeting and guidance systems installed in its nose-tip (a radar and an electro-optical sensor). In 2006 Rafael was awarded a contract to develop a defense system to counter the threat of medium- to long-range rockets with ranges between 70 km and 250 km. In order to enable Israel to make use of the financial aid provided by the United States to further develop the system and to produce it, a partnership was established with Raytheon which will develop the missile firing unit and overall logistic system and assist Rafael with developing the interceptor. In some of Raytheon's publications, the interceptor is referred to as "Stunner." As of May 2012, David's Sling was expected to enter operational service in 2013.

The increasing danger of rocket and missile fire against Israel (Qassam rocket fire from Gaza, Katyusha rocket fire from southern Lebanon, and Iran's ballistic missile arsenal) has led to the development of defense systems to counter this threat. In addition to the David's Sling system, which is designed to intercept medium- and long-range rockets, the Iron Dome system, with which it will be used in conjunction, designed to intercept short-range rockets (4–70 km), and the Arrow missile, designed to intercept ballistic missiles, are already in use.

According to Lieutenant General Henry Obering, former director of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, "We wanted a truly co-managed program because the United States will be very interested in this for our own purposes."

On 17 November 2010, in an interview Rafael's Vice President Mr. Lova Drori confirmed that the David's Sling system has been offered to the Indian Armed Forces.

External links

• David’s Sling Short Range Missile Defense Systems Enters a New Stage by Defense Update
• Stunner // Terminal Missile Defense Interceptor Rafael
• Information About the David's Sling System From the Raytheon Website