Without close-defense capabilities forming part of a country’s multilayer defense systems,
strategic sites are simply not adequately protected. In the context of multilayer defense
development and deployment around strategic sites and sensitive targets, Israel has taken
on the role of global leader. Israel has carried out a test of its air defenses,
which for the first time reveals a highly integrated system that can knock out a broad
spectrum of targets, from maneuvering ballistic missiles to simple drones. This accomplishment
h as far-reaching implications, not only for Israel’s defense capabilities but for the
United States. The US Army is in the process of developing an integrated tactical defense
system called the Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System.
If the Israeli air defense integration is complete, it is probably the first
time that systems optimized for different threats can share threat data and hand
off responsibility to different “tiers” of the defense system. Unlike the US effort,
Israel’s integrated system is national and includes ballistic missile defenses (BMD).
The US Army system is tactical and only attempts to deal with tactical ballistic missile threats
and even there relies on the evolved but still antiquated Patriot system.
Above all, the Israeli test for the first time demonstrated a
system that can destroy cruise missiles. While most of the global focus since the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has been on drones as an emerging unconventional threat to traditional
military operations, the cruise missile presents the biggest threat to critical infrastructure
installations and defense bases, both forward operating and fixed bases at the national level.
The rise of high-precision cruise missiles in the hands of second-tier actors such as
Iran and Iran’s client Yemen presents a threat to Israel and to its new-found
allies and friends in the Gulf states. The unacknowledged Iranian attacks on two
Saudi Arabian facilities, Abqaiq and Khurais, made clear that Iran had the ability to fire autonomous
drones and cruise missiles and strike targets at high accuracy without a “man in the loop.”
And let's now talk a bit about Israeli air defense systems, such as David’s Sling and
Iron Dome. Firstly, we will see what David’s Sling
has. David’s Sling is a complete air defense
system to defeat the full spectrum of air and missile threats. It is developed by the
Israeli defense contractor Rafael Advanced
Defense Systems and the American defense contractor
Raytheon, designed to intercept enemy planes, drones, tactical ballistic missiles, medium-
to long-range rockets and cruise missiles, fired at ranges from 40 km to 300 km. David's
Sling is meant to replace the MIM-23 Hawk and MIM-104 Patriot in the Israeli arsenal.
David's Sling serves as a flexible, multipurpose weapons system capable engaging a range of
targets from a dynamic range of platforms. Furthermore, The system is composed of a two-stage
multi-pulse “Stunner” interceptor missile, which uses electro-optical/IR sensors and
a EL/M-2084 AESA multi-mission radar by Elta Systems for targeting and guidance, and control
systems by Elbit systems. It can be mounted
on an array of ground, naval, and aerial platforms,
including existing rail and canister launchers, and the firing units allow for 360° coverage
through vertical launch of the missile. In the last section, we will discuss about
Iron Dome. Iron Dome is a mobile all-weather air defense
system developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries in
2007 since the escalation of the conflict. Iron Dome’s missiles, which cost $20,000
each, are fired from a team-operated battery,
act in conjunction with battery-deployed radar-guided
early warning systems. The Iron Dome relies
upon a high-resolution EL/M-2084 Active Electronically
Scanned Array radar to detect and track incoming projectiles. The system is designed to intercept
and destroy short-range rockets and artillery shells fired from distances of 4 kilometers
to 70 kilometers away and whose trajectory would take them to an Israeli populated area.
According to its manufacturer, Iron Dome could operate day and night, under adverse weather
conditions, and can respond to multiple threats simultaneously.
For its specifications, Iron Dome has three central components;
- Detection and Tracking Radar - Battle Management & Weapon Control, and
- Missile Firing Unit with 20 ready to fire from container-launchers.
For the radar system EL/M-2084 has been developed by an Israeli defense company, Elta. While
the control system has been built by an Israeli software company, mPrest Systems, engaged
by Rafael. The missile launched by the firing unit of
Iron Dome includes Tamir interceptor missiles.
It has several steering fins for high maneuverability
and is equipped with electro-optic sensors. In addition, the Tamir interceptor was designed
for high efficiency and low cost. The missile has 3 m long, weighs 90 kg with 160 mm diameter
and it could reach 5,000 to 70,000 m range. In short, for Israel, these air defense systems
are critical to the national security of the country.
That’s all for today, Thank guys for watching and don’t forget to leave your comment below
if you have a great topic to be discussed in the next video.