Collaborative trials with U.S. and Israeli defense industries validate upgrades to counter rockets, missiles, UAVs, and future threats in Israel’s multi-layered air defense system
The Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO) within the Directorate of Defense Research & Development (DDR&D) at the Ministry of Defense, in cooperation with the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, has completed a series of tests of the David’s Sling air defense system.
The tests were designed to evaluate the system’s capabilities against threats including rockets, ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles. According to the Ministry of Defense, the test framework was built on data collected during the system’s operational activity in recent months of combat. The successful trials enable updates to the system’s software versions and technical capabilities. David’s Sling serves as the mid-tier layer in the IDF’s multi-layered air defense array.
In an official statement, the Ministry of Defense noted that the project is carried out through broad inter-industry cooperation. Rafael is the prime contractor for the system; IAI’s Elta Division developed the MMR radar; and Elbit Systems is responsible for the command-and-control system.
