Aircraft
Israel Tests Interceptor, Faces Pressure To Share Iron Dome
A Stunner missile supplied by Raytheon is fired during the first trial of the Israeli David’s Sling interception system. (Photo: IDF)
A Stunner missile supplied by Raytheon is fired during the first trial of the Israeli David’s Sling interception system. (Photo: IDF)

Five days after a ceasefire ended the latest conflict between Israel and the Hamas regime controlling Gaza, in which the Rafael Iron Dome rocket interception system featured prominently, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced the first successful test of a new interception system. The David’s Sling system, or “Magic Wand,” that was co-developed with Raytheon and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) can intercept rockets and missiles in low to middle altitudes, the IDF said. Raytheon supplies the new system’s Stunner missile, which provides “all-weather hit-to-kill performance...[against] a variety of short-range ballistic missiles, large-caliber rockets and cruise missiles...at a tactical missile price,” according to the American company.