The Stunner missile, part of the David Sling missile defense system, seen here on one of its early test launches performed in 2009. Photo: Rafael

Israel and the U.S. reiterated the agreement to continue their cooperative development of the David Sling weapon system (also known as Majic Wand), extending the agreement signed in 2008 that paved the way for the development of a Short-Range Ballistic Missile Defense Project. The new agreement provides the necessary funding for continued development of the system, considered highly important for Israel’s defense.

According to the Missile Defense Agency announcement, the David’s Sling Weapon System Project Agreement will advance efforts to develop Israel’s capability to intercept short-range and theater ballistic missiles, large-caliber rockets, and cruise missiles. It is capable of intercepting ballistic targets fired at distances of 70-250 km. Developed as relatively low cost weapon (compared to the Arrow 2 alternative) Stunner missiles are designed with dual seeker enabling the missile to detect, track and home in on its target under all visibility and weather conditions, within and beyond visual range. The new system will become the lower tier of the multi-layered missile defense system, integrating the Iron Dome Counter Rocket, Artillery and Mortar (C-RAM) system, David Sling, Arrow II Endo-Atmospheric missile interceptor and Arrow-3 Exo-Atmospheric missile interceptor, providing the upper-tier layer. Both Stunner and Arrow 3 are hit-to-kill missiles, while Iron Dome and Arrow II are designed to kill targets at close proximity.

The continued project signed yesterday will continue the development of the Stunner Interceptor developed jointly by Rafael and Raytheon. David Sling system also comprises a command and control system developed by Rafael and mPrest (which also developed the Iron-Dome C3 system) and the IAI/Elta multi-mission radar, providing the primary sensor for the system. David’s Sling will also address the threat posed by the types of inexpensive and easily-produced short-range missiles and rockets used during the 2006 Lebanon War, and will also advance low-altitude intercept technology and provide that technology to benefit U.S. and Israeli industry.

The Stunner missile has already demonstrated in test flights; the current phase will enable the team to expand testing of the entire system, as part of the original development schedule the system could reach initial operational capability in 2013. Arrow 3 is also expected to become operational by the middle of the decade. Beyond the missile defense application, Israel is also considering using the Stunner missile as the next generation successor for its air/air missiles.

United States was Army Lt. General Patrick J. O’Reilly, director of the Missile Defense Agency represented the U.S. side with and Rear Admiral Ophir Shoham, Director of Israel’s Directorate of Defense Research and Development; Mr. Tzahi Malach, Department of Finance, Ministry of Defense; and Mr. Ehud Shani, Director General, Ministry of Defense representing the Israeli side.

Related posts:

• Israel Plans a Short Range Ballistic Missile Defense System (SRMD)
• Israel Embarks on a Third ‘Iron Cap’ Ballistic Defense System
• Israel Sets Stage for a Massive $60 Billion Military Buildup
• Rafael Expands Air- and Missile-Defense Family of Weapons
• David’s Sling – Israel’s Extended Air & Missile defense System

The U.S. and Saudi Arabia are finalizing an arms package that shadows even the large arms mega-sales in the region. The packages worth about $60 Billion include mostly platforms produced by Boeing, including 84 F-15 fighter jets, replacing the Kingdom’s aging F-15C/D fighters, upgrading of existing F-15S strike fighters in service with the RSAF, supply of 70 new AH-64D attack helicopters and upgrading of existing Apaches, and delivery of 36 AH-6 Little Bird. The package also includes 70 Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk assault helicopters. the deal will also include various types of air/air, and air/surface precision guided weaponry. It is assumed that the quoted price ($60 billion) reflects the full life cycle cost over 10 years.

Other elements on the shopping list being discussed between Riyadh and Washington focus on missile defense, integrating both land-based and, potentially, ship borne elements – once the Saudis commit to an adequate platform. Such systems commonly include variants of the SM-3 or THAAD interceptors, and early warning and fire control systems including the TPY-2 radar or TPY-1 AEGIS BMD naval systems. Unlike other countries in the region, the Saudis preferred to invest in modernizing their airpower but delayed the upgrade of their Patriot air defense systems, which could provide limited ballistic missile defense capability.

In recent years Saudi Arabia has bought military hardware from Russia (main battle tanks, helicopters) the U.K., (Typhoon strike fighters). The kingdom is yet to improve its air defense systems (probably, an element in the new package) and naval capabilities. As other Gulf States, Saudi Arabia is bolstering its military power against the growing from Iran. Most of the investments made by the rich Gulf countries were in missile defense and airpower, trusting the U.S. presence in the Persian Gulf to deal with the Iranian naval forces. On the other side of the Gulf, Iran is constantly expanding its naval capabilities and ballistic missile reach, seeking strategic domination of the region, by conventional and unconventional means.

The Boeing 747F modified into the YAL-1 Airborne Laser escorted by an F-16B chase plane on a test flight from Edwards AFB.

An airborne intercept of a liquid-rocket target failed on September 1, 2010 when the megawatt power airborne laser (ABL) veered away from the target a split second before the planned engagement. Despite this problem, the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) plans to resume flight experiments this week, testing the performance of the software fixes, leading to a lethal shoot-down experiment involving a solid-fuel target missile by the end of September 2010. Another test, scheduled for mid-October will involve lasing another solid-fuel missile at a distance three times the range of the last successful intercept of a liquid-fuel missile performed on February 11, this year. The recent failure came after repeated aborted test attempts in August, where issues attributed to calibration and component cooling prevented tests completion.  Prior to these tests, the aircraft set idle for several months until minor damage to its optics,  caused during a May 2010 test flight are repaired. Test range availability have also limited further flights since May this year.

The beam director of the Megawatt class chemical laser of the Airborne Laser (ABL) is inspected by visitors at the Edwards AFB. The laser has successfuly intercepted one target but failed in two other tests. Photo: Missile defense Agency

The recent intercept was the second failed attempt to shoot down a liquid-fuel missile during its boost phase. The first took place after the successful first intercept on February 11, 2010. While the February failure was caused by the megawatt laser shutting down prematurely, the recent mission terminated early, when corrupted beam control software steered the high energy laser slightly off center. preliminary indications are that a communication software error within the system that controls the laser beam caused misalignment of the beam. The on board safety system detected this shift and immediately shut down the high energy laser.

Additional reading:

Airborne Laser Demonstrates First Ballistic Missile Intercept (Defense-Update)

Airborne Laser Gears Up for Next Shoot-down Test (Space News)

Karrar drones seen at the final assembly line. The red paint indicate use for testing or as an aerial target. The green drone is in final assembly and hasn't been painted yet. While tracing its origin to aerial drones, Karrar is designed for aerial recce missions and deep strike, possibly extended range anti-ship and anti BMD missions. Photo: FARS News Agency

Iran has this week unveiled a new type of turbojet-powered drone designated ‘Karrar’ (striker in Farsi), described by Iranian officials as capable to perform long-range reconnaissance and attack missions. Iranian Defense Minister, Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi announced on Sunday that the country’s first home-made long-range Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) named ‘Karrar’ has a flight-range of 1,000km.

Karrar is described as capable of operating at long range, and in ‘great operational depth’, at high or low altitudes. According to Iranian reports, on reconnaissance missions the Karrar can record images flying over targets of interest and transmit them back to the ground control as it re-establishes communications. The drone can also carry weapons, two configurations were displayed – carrying a unitary bomb (what seemed to be a 1,000 or 500 lb weapon) on the centerline, or carrying two smaller weapons (assessed by their shape and size, these weapons could be the Kowsar (C-701) anti-ship missiles).

According to Iranian reports, on reconnaissance missions the Karrar can record images flying over targets of interest and transmit them back to the ground control as it re-establishes communications. The drone can also carry weapons, two configurations were displayed – carrying a unitary bomb (what seemed to be a 1,000 or 500 lb weapon) on the centerline, or carrying two smaller weapons (assessed by their shape and size, these weapons could be the Kowsar (C-701) anti-ship missiles).

In today’s analysis feature, Defense-Update speculate on several operational options available with this drone.  Overall, similar to other Iranian platforms, Karrar is based on a 1970′s technology and is unlikely to possess advanced cruise-missile capabilities.  The first question to be asked would be – whether it is an unmanned aerial vehicle (operated as a reusable asset) or is it a ‘one way only’ cruise missile? As it is based on a target drone, Karrar could perform both missions successfully and affordably.

read more on today’s Defense Update analysis of the Karrar drone.

The growing proliferation and increasing deadliness of missiles around the world pose a direct threat to the U.S. and its allies, making funding missile defense systems vitally important for America’s national security. Israel, positioned as one of the most threatened countries, is establishing a multi-tier ballistic missile and rocket defense system, positioned to improve the country’s resilience against such attacks. This effort is winning bipartisan U.S. support, with generous U.S. support funding most of Israel’s missile defense research, development and acquisition programs. Since 2007, the Appropriations Defense Subcommittee has allocated more than $750 million in federal funding for the Arrow and David’s Sling anti-missile systems.

Including this year’s allocation of $205 million toward Israel’s Iron Dome program, the Subcommittee has allocated nearly one billion dollars toward these three missile defense systems over the past three years. “This is only the latest example that when it comes to defense, military, and intelligence cooperation, the relationship between the U.S. and Israel has never been stronger.” said subcommittee member, Representative Steve Rothman (D-NJ).

Last week the Appropriations Defense Subcommittee of the U.S. House of Representatives has approved more funds than ever before toward joint U.S.-Israel and Israeli missile defense programs. The Appropriations Defense Subcommittee has just appropriated $217.7 million in funding for essential joint U.S.-Israel missile defense programs, which is an increase of $95.7 million in funds over the original request. “This is only the latest example that when it comes to defense, military, and intelligence cooperation, the relationship between the U.S. and Israel has never been stronger. Chairman Norm Dicks, myself and all the members of the Defense Subcommittee understand how important it is to be at the cutting edge of anti-missile technology, both to safeguard our own citizens and troops, but also those citizens and troops of our allies and friends such as the people of the Jewish state of Israel.” he added that, given the concern and attention Congress is focusing now on government spending for all purposes, including the defense of the United States and its allies, it is a mark of the importance of these projects that they were all funded so robustly and fully by our Subcommittee.