The David’s Sling air defense system has completed a complex series of tests as part of an upgrade program aimed at adapting the platform to emerging threats.
The campaign was conducted by the Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO), under the Israeli Ministry of Defense, in cooperation with the U.S. Missile Defense Agency and manufacturer Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.
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According to the authorities involved, the trials simulated advanced scenarios against multiple threat vectors, including rockets, ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, manned aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The campaign incorporated operational lessons drawn from recent confrontations, focusing on expanding response capabilities against threats of varying profiles and levels of complexity.
Although specific technical details were not disclosed, the Ministry of Defense stated that the tests evaluated improvements in detection, tracking, and simultaneous interception of targets, as well as the system’s integration into more demanding operational scenarios.
David’s Sling forms the intermediate layer of Israel’s multi-tiered air defense architecture. It operates alongside the Arrow system, designed to intercept long-range ballistic threats; Iron Dome, responsible for short-range rocket defense; and Iron Beam, a directed-energy system currently being integrated.
In a statement, Rafael CEO Yoav Tourgeman said the completion of the campaign reinforces the system’s continuous upgrade process amid the evolving threat environment.
With the conclusion of the test series, David’s Sling remains one of the central elements of Israel’s air defense strategy, aimed at protecting national territory and critical infrastructure against conventional and asymmetric aerial threats.
Israeli David’s Sling System Demonstrates Capability Against Rockets, UAVs and AircraftThe David’s Sling air defense system has completed a complex series of tests as part of an upgrade program aimed at adapting the platform to emerging threats.Source and images: @RAFAELdefense pic.twitter.com/9JP2O1u7kx
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Source: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems | IMDO | Missile Defense Agency | X @MoDIsrael. This content was created with the assistance of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
