Name: Iron Dome (כיפת ברזל)

   Developers: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems; Elta; mPrest Systems
   Target: Short-range rockets; Artillery/mortar shells (44 mile maximum distance)
Missile: Tamir Interceptor  with  electro-optic sensors and numerous steering fins
Cost: Battery – $50 million; Missile – $40,000
Battery Components: Tracking Radar; Battle Management & Weapon Control (BMC); Missile Firing Unit
   Operational Timetable: First test- July 2009; First deployment- March  2011; First  Interception- April 2011
   Interceptions/Success Rate: 93 rockets at 90% interception success (as of April 2012)

Overview: Israel’s first line of missile defense, designed to protect from the short range rockets adn mortars fired by Palestinian terrorists in Gaza and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. The system has   the capability to identify and   destroy  projectiles before they land   in Israeli territory. One of the most advanced features of Iron Dome is its    capability to determine where an   incoming rocket will land and to then  only intercept  projectiles that pose    threats to   populated  areas. In March 2012, the Iron succeeded in its first real battle test, when it intercepted more than 60 rockets fired by Hamas. Since 2010, the US has budgeted more than $800 million for Iron Dome batteries.

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Name: David’s Sling (קלע דוד)

   Developers: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems; Raytheon
   Target: Medium- to long-range rockets (25-185 mile  range)
Missile: Stunner two-stage Interceptor  with  electro-optical sensor & radar targeting system
   Operational Timetable: Initial Operational Capability expected in 2012
Budget Allocation: $330 million from US government since 2006

Overview: David’s Sling was developed   as a flexible, multipurpose weapon system capable of engaging aircraft, cruise missiles, ballistic and guided missiles. Its Stunner interceptor missile is designed for land-based, maritime and airborne applications and is fitted with a dual-band imaging infrared and radio-frequency seeker, as well as a multi-pulse rocket motor enabling all-weather operation. David’s Sling was designed to target incoming missiles during their terminal phase, unlike the Iron Dome which intercepts missiles at their highest trajectory. Its primary role will be to   intercept medium- and long-range ballistic and guided rockets, such as the Iranian Fajr-5 and BM-25 as well as the Syrian M-600 and Yakhont supersonic cruise missile.

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Name: Arrow Theatre System (חֵץ)

   Developers: Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI); Boeing
   Target: Long-range conventional ballistic missiles; high-altitude nuclear warheads (Arrow-3)
Cost: $3 million per unit
Budget Allocation: $825 million  from US government since 2006; ~$300 million from Israeli government
Battery Components: Arrow Interceptor; early-warning AESA radar; command & control center; launcher
   Operational Timetable: First deployment (Arrow2)- October 2000; First test (Arrow3)- January 2012

Overview: The Arrow is designed to give Israel a full theatre ballistic missile defense capability.  The original versions (Arrow-1 & -2) were initially greenlit in 1988 and became operation in 2000 to protect against long-range conventional missiles. In August 2008, the US and Israel began production of the Arrow-3 which is comprised of an exoatmospheric interceptor and proportional navigation to directly target an incoming missile outside of the earth’s atmosphere, thereby preventing collateral damage from impact with a nuclear warhead.  The Arrow has a greater accuracy (99% kill rate) and a longer targeting range (missiles of over 600 miles). Currently, Israel has two Arrow-2 batteries deployed in the center of the country and may deploy an Arrow-3 by 2014.

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Name: Patriot

    Developers: Raytheon; Hughes; RCA
   Target: High-Perfomance Aircraft; mid- and long-range tactical ballistic missiles
Missile: Surface-to-Air Interceptor (SAM)
Battery Components: Stationary launcher (with 4 missiles); scanning radar; command & control center
   Operational Timetable: First deployment (US) – 1984; First Activity (Israel) – 1991

Overview: The Patriot missile system was first used in Israel during the Gulf War when Saddam Hussein fired Scud missiles at Israel and it had a 40% claimed success rate in shooting down incoming missiles. The Israeli government, however, with dissatisfied with the performance and has worked to update the system and will now be phasing it out for the David’s Sling. The upgraded versions, PAC-2 and -3, provide a more reliable and lethal capability to defeat   advanced threats – including aircraft, tactical ballistic missiles,   cruise missiles, and UAVs – in almost all operational combat   environments. The newest Israeli version is set to replace the four-missile stationary launcher with a 16-missile launcher, which will make it better equiped to contend with a prolonged barrage of missiles. In 2006, Israel stationed a Patriot battery in Haifa to protect from Hezbollah rockets.  Another was placed in the north during 2012.