The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) is reportedly set to begin trials of the David’s Sling Weapon System (DSWS).
The system is scheduled to be employed in various areas around Israel for a trial period before entering operational service, as reported by The Jerusalem Post.
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Following completion of a trial period, the system will then be set-up to intercept hostile aircraft and missiles with longer range. It will also eventually intercept incoming cruise missiles.
Israeli Air Force (IAF) Equipment Squadron David’s Sling branch head staff sergeant major Yishai Rosenberg said: "It should be allowed to work with other interception systems."
In order to become fully operational, DWSW should complete two additional trials that are focused on examining its ability to intercept missiles.
Meanwhile, the IAF is also expected to shortly begin the first training programme for Air Defense Command technicians, who will eventually be assigned to David’s Sling.
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By GlobalDataDSWS is being developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems in collaboration with Raytheon. It is a surface-to-air missile system designed to intercept medium-to-long-range rockets and cruise missiles, fired at ranges from 40km to 300km.
The system is developed to work alongside the Iron Dome, Patriot and Arrow missile systems as the future of Israel’s aerial defence formation. It has its own interception management centre, where the operators would launch orders on future interceptions of aerial threats.
David’s Sling features interceptor missiles that can broadcast sensory information in real time. It is also expected to be linked up to the Home Front Command’s command and control systems, which provide civilian projectile alerts and information to air defence systems.
The system is expected to enter operational service after 2015.
Image: David’s sling weapon system during its first experimental interception of short and mid range missiles. Photo: courtesy of IAF.
