(Communicated by Ministry of Defense)

The Israel Missile Defense Organization and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency recently completed a successful test of the joint U.S.-Israel Arrow Weapon System (AWS), designed to protect Israel against short- and medium-range ballistic missile threats, over the Mediterranean Sea.  Data collected from the flight test will be used to verify functionality of the Block 4 AWS.

This test, designated Block 4 System Verification Flight Test (B4SVFT), was a target-only tracking exercise.  During the test, the AWS Super Green Pine Fire Control Radar tracked a Blue Sparrow 2 target, representative of potential ballistic missile threats facing Israel. The radar transferred information to the Citron Tree Battle Management Controller, which prepared a simulated intercept solution.  Elements of the U.S. Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) successfully performed interoperability with the AWS and collected data.

The success of the test is the final test prior to delivery of block 4 Arrow Weapons System.  This was a major milestone in the development of the Arrow Weapon System and provides confidence in operational Israeli capabilities to defeat the developing ballistic missile threat.

The Israel Missile Defense Organization and U.S. Missile Defense Agency personnel conducted the flight test.  The main contractor for the integration and the development of the Arrow Weapon System is MLM of the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).  The “Green Pine” Radar is developed by ELTA Industries and the “Citron Tree” BMC is developed by Tadiran Electronic Systems, Ltd.