staff@slashgear.com (Brad Hill)
2024-04-27 08:45:40
www.slashgear.com
Israel-based Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, the same defense contractor that developed the Iron Dome system, worked with U.S.-based Raytheon to develop David’s Sling. Named after the biblical David and Goliath story, David’s Sling uses an interceptor missile called the Stunner. This operates on a three-pulse solid propellant motor that drives it to speeds of up to Mach 7.5. While the Iron Dome missiles are designed with warheads, the Stunner stops incoming projectiles by colliding directly into them. For improved accuracy, the interceptor has an electro-optical/imaging infrared combo sensor that works with a radar seeker to detect threats in any weather condition.
Israel started working on David’s Sling back in 2006. Two years later, the U.S. opened up its wallet for the project. However, it wasn’t until March 2017 that David’s Sling was fully operational. A year later, Israel used it for the first time in combat against two short-range ballistic missiles. However, further assessment by the system determined that these missiles wouldn’t hit Israel after all, so the interceptors were redirected.
In April 2024, Iran sent a barrage of roughly 300 drones and ballistic missiles toward Israel in an aggressive attack, putting David’s Sling to the test. According to Israel (via AP News), 99% of the attack was stopped by Israel’s defense system.