IAF to receive upgraded Arrow interceptor soon.

IAF to receive upgraded Arrow interceptor soon.(JPost).The Israel Air Force will take delivery in the coming weeks of a new and improved Arrow-2 missile interceptor in an effort to bolster its defenses in face of growing regional threats. Work on an upgraded interceptor called “Block 4” was revealed by The Jerusalem Post in April. The upgraded missile contains new software aimed at improving the system’s ability to defend against long-range ballistic missiles such as Iran’s Shahab and Sajil and Syria’s Scud D missiles.The Arrow-2 is Israel’s upper tier missile defense system, complemented by the Iron Dome for short-range rockets and the David’s Sling, which is under development and to be used against medium-range rockets and cruise missiles. In the coming months, the Defense Ministry plans to hold its first interception test of the Arrow 3, a new higher-level system that will provide Israel with a number of chances to intercept incoming enemy missiles. The most recent test of the Arrow was held in February although it did not include an interception. During the test, an Israeli F-15 fighter jet launched a Blue Sparrow missile developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems to impersonate long-range Iranian ballistic missiles. The Arrow’s radar and detection system, developed by Israel Aerospace Industries detected the incoming “enemy” missile and successfully tracked it. In addition, the air force has connected the Arrow to the Super Green Pine radar that is replacing an older radar used to detect and track incoming ballistic missiles, improving the Arrow’s range. “The Arrow has the ability to intercept all of the long-range missiles currently threatening Israel,” a senior defense official said recently. Delivery of the new Arrow interceptor comes as the IAF is also working to increase the range of the Tamir interceptor, used by the Iron Dome counter rocket defense system with the aim of enabling it to intercept longer-range rockets. To achieve the improved performance, the IDF is focusing on two tracks – technological upgrades to the system as well as modifications to the Israel Air Force’s operational doctrine. The Iron Dome was originally designed to defend against rockets at a range of 4-70 km. Each battery consists of a mini multi-mission radar manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries and three launchers, each equipped with 20 interceptors called Tamirs. The radar enables Iron Dome operators to predict the impact site of the enemy rocket and decide not to intercept it if it is slated to hit an open area. Each interceptor costs between $50,000-100,000 and usually two are fired at rockets slated for interception.The system recently underwent a series of tests in conjunction with manufacturer Rafael to determine its ability to intercept longer-range rockets.Read the full story here.