The Arrow 3 Interceptor Missile System is a joint venture by IAI and Boeing, demonstrating a giant leap in missile defense. As the first and only stand-alone anti-tactical ballistic missile defense system in the world, Arrow 3 offers unparalleled protection against evolving threats. This is an exo-atmospheric hypersonic defense system that has been designed to neutralize long-range tactical ballistic missiles outside the Earth’s atmosphere for the protection of strategic assets and population centers.
The Arrow 3 system is the third operational component of the Arrow Weapon System, an icon of modern engineering featuring a compact, innovative design with the capability for high-speed launches and the intercepting of long-range threats, including those carrying weapons of mass destruction. The key attributes of the system are exoatmospheric intercept, long-range detection and tracking, advanced sensors, hit-to-kill technology, and hypersonic velocity.
The Arrow 3 system, jointly developed by funding provided by Israel and the United States, will form part of a multi-tier defense network that includes Arrow 2. The development of the Arrow 3 was supervised by the Israel MOD, along with the United States MDA. Its first recorded flight was in 2013. In 2017, the system entered official service with the Israeli Air Force.
The Arrow 3 system comprises an interceptor missile, launcher, Battle Management, Command, Control, Communication, and Intelligence System (BM/C3I), fire control radar, and launch control center. Able to defeat incoming targets with its hit-to-kill technology. Launchers are mobile and may execute vertical “hot launches” from sealed canisters for very short reaction times. Data processing, real threat assessment, and optimum system response are done in the BM/C3I system. Detection and tracking of any coming missiles are provided by fire control radar. The launch control center controls the launchers while ensuring full system redundancy and safety.
Various tests have been conducted to underline the capabilities of the Arrow 3 system; one of the most major series was conducted in Alaska at the Pacific Spaceport Complex-Kodiak. Tests-one of a string jointly conducted by the Israel Missile Defense Organization and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency-demonstrated its capability for high-altitude interceptions. According to tests, it was a “major milestone” for the system that is now under development. These tests marked a major milestone in the development of the system, and further prove out Israel’s capability against emerging and future threats, said Vice Adm. Jon Hill of the MDA.
Coming to the latest developments, the first combat interception by Arrow 3 occurred this month, intercepting a missile launched towards Israel, presumably by the Houthi militants from Yemen. That was a major operational milestone for the system since it had been declared deployed. Germany inked an almost €4 billion deal to add the Arrow 3 system to augment its missile defense capability amid increasing tension with Russia.
The success of the Arrow 3 opened the road to the development of the Arrow 4, which would replace the Arrow 2 and further enhance Israel’s defense capability. This new variant would focus on endoatmospheric interception and be more affordable for large-scale production.
The Arrow 3 Interceptor Missile System is the result of cooperation between Israel and the United States, at the forefront of improving missile defense technology against all forms of modern threats.