The Israeli defence ministry has selected a Rafael/Raytheon proposal for a short-range anti-ballistic missile defence system over a rival “son of Arrow” offer from Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) and Boeing.
The requirement stems from a need to protect Israeli territory against Kassam rockets fired by Palestinian militant groups from the Gaza strip with a range of up to 8km (4.3nm). Rafael offered to develop a “hit-to-kill” concept, including technologies from its AB-10 anti-tactical ballistic missile concept, which lost an earlier Israeli contest to IAI’s Arrow. The system will also have to intercept longer-range rockets, such as Iranian-made systems with ranges of up to 65km.
Israel’s reasons for selecting the Rafael/Raytheon system will be presented to the US Missile Defense Agency, with an official announcement expected soon.
Source: Flight International