The Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO) of the Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D) and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) completed a successful flight test campaign with the Arrow-3 Interceptor missile.
Flight Test Arrow-01 demonstrated the Israeli Arrow Weapon System’s ability to conduct a high altitude hit-to-kill engagement. Interceptor tests were conducted that successfully destroyed target missiles. These tests were conducted at Pacific Spaceport Complex-Alaska (PSCA) in Kodiak, Alaska.
The Arrow-3 Interceptor successfully demonstrated an engagement capability against the exo-atmospheric target during the test. Although not part of the Israeli architecture, a U.S. AN-TPY2 radar participated in the test. Preliminary analysis indicates that test objectives were successfully achieved.
The Arrow Weapon System is a central part of Israel’s multi-layer defense system. The defense system is based on four operational layers: Iron Dome Defense System, David’s Sling Weapon System, the Arrow-2, and the Arrow-3.
“These successful tests mark a major milestone in the development of the Arrow Weapon System,” said MDA Director Vice Adm. Jon Hill. “This unique success in Alaska provides confidence in future Israeli capabilities to defeat the developing threats in the region. My congratulations to the Israel Missile Defense Organization, our MDA team, and our industry partners. We are committed to assisting the Government of Israel in upgrading its national missile defense capability to defend the State of Israel from emerging threats.”
IMDO Director, Moshe Patel: “Ten challenging years of development have culminated in this moment: the Arrow 3 weapon system completed a test campaign, during which an Arrow 3 interceptor completed full interception of the target. This is an extraordinary operational and technological achievement for the State of Israel, made possible by thousands of employees, engineers and officers from the Ministry of Defense, Israeli defense Industries, Israeli Air Force and our US partners. In addition, the fact that the tests were conducted in Alaska, tens of thousands of kilometers away from Israel, is another significant achievement that demonstrates the operational capabilities of the Arrow 3 system to successfully face any threat.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made the following the remarks at the weekly Cabinet meeting: “In recent weeks we have carried out three pioneering secret experiments of the Arrow 3 missile. These experiments were held in the US, in Alaska, in full cooperation with our great ally the United States.
They were successful beyond any imagination. The Arrow 3 – with complete success – intercepted ballistic missiles beyond the atmosphere at unprecedented altitudes and speeds. The execution was perfect – all precise hits.
Today Israel has the ability to act against ballistic missiles that could be launched against us from Iran or anywhere else. This is a great achievement for the security of Israel.
All of our enemies should know that we will overcome them in both defense and offense.”
Netanyahu: “I would like to make it clear here that metal hit metal; it was not just a proximity detonation. The missile hit the missile all three times. This is a great achievement. First of all, I would like to thank – of course – the US Ambassador to Israel and, through you, the US administration as well. I would like to express deep and strong appreciation for advancing our joint security.
I would like to thank the Defense Ministry, the IDF, IAI and our ambassador, Ron Dermer, who was in Alaska for this. I want to thank all of the engineers and developers who brought about this breakthrough, this leap forward, which is considerable for the security of Israel with very great significance, especially at this time.”
US Ambassador David Friedman said: “On behalf of President Trump and the Trump administration, I just would like to tell you how delighted we were with the successful results of the test of the Arrow 3 missile system, a critical element of Israel’s missile defense.
The results were extraordinary. We’re very proud of our partnership with the State of Israel, the funding that we provided for this, the technical expertise that we added, obviously making our airspace available for this test over Alaska.
This is an extraordinary and an unprecedented example of the cooperation between our two great countries and from here may we continue to go upward and onward in making the world a safer place.”
Defense Ministry Directorate of Defense Research and Development head Dr. Danny Gold said: “Like the Prime Minister said, this is an unprecedented operation. This is a technological, operational and logistical breakthrough. At the forefront of technological and operational knowledge, we had three interceptions in a row, in space, at very high altitudes and at a very great distance, of long-range ballistic missiles.
This symbolizes the coherent and unprecedented cooperation with the US. We worked as one team with the US Missile Defense Agency. We sat together at one location 24/7 for a long time. All of this was under the leadership of the Defense Ministry Israel Missile Defense Organization headed by Moshe Patel, the security industries, IAI, Elbit-Elisra and RAFAEL, which worked together as a single team, of people aged 20-78, 24/7 continuously, and other agencies in support.”
