David's Sling Air-Defense System

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Context

• Israel confirmed using its David's Sling Air-Defense System to intercept a Hamas rocket.

David's Sling Air-Defense System

About

• David's Sling also formerly known as Magic Wand is an Israel Defense Forces military system.
• David's Sling became operational in April 2017.

Development

• It is being jointly developed by the Israeli defense contractor Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and the American defense contractor Raytheon.

Role

• It has been designed to intercept enemy planes, drones, tactical ballistic missiles, medium- to long-range rockets and cruise missiles.

Range

• It is fired at ranges from 40 to 300 km.

Capabilities

• The system's missile is designed to intercept the newest generation of tactical ballistic missiles at low altitudes, such as the Russian Iskander and the Chinese DF-15.

Interceptor

• The multi-stage interceptor consists of a solid-fuel rocket motor booster.
• 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).

Motor

• A three-pulse motor provides additional acceleration and manoeuvrability during the terminal phase.

Part of Israel's future Multi-Tiered Missile Defense System

• It forms one level of Israel's future multi-tiered missile defense system, which also includes Arrow 2, Arrow 3, Iron Dome, and Iron Beam.