Space

U.S./Israel Complete Successful Arrow Missile Defense Test

07-FYI-0097
26 March 2007

Air Force Lieutenant General Henry “Trey” Obering III, Missile Defense Agency Director, today announced the successful completion of the latest ballistic missile test, by the joint U.S./Israel Arrow missile defense system. An improved Arrow missile, with modifications to its hardware and electronics, was successfully test-fired this afternoon at Palmahim Air Force Base. This is the first successful test of the improved configuration, and the second test overall of a co-produced interceptor.

The test objectives were to collect flight engineering data for future test events, and to test the capabilities of the improved Arrow interceptor. The interceptor, part of the Arrow System Improvement Program, or ASIP, performed successfully according to design specifications, meeting all expectations and objectives.

This test marks the U.S./Israeli Arrow II program’s 14th success in 16 attempts. The Arrow program is managed by the Israeli Missile Defense Organization in close cooperation with the U.S. Missile Defense Agency. The system is fully operational in Israel and is operated by the Israeli Air Force.

This successful test is an important step in the cooperative development of this ballistic missile defense system.

Contact: Rick Lehner, MDA Public Affairs, at (703) 697-8997 or Richard.Lehner@mda.mil