The US Army is studying the possibility of using Israeli missiles on its air defense systems. Yesterday, March 5, portal breakingdefense.com He announced that the SkyCeptor missiles of the David's Sling complex are now available for Patriot missile systems.
The Israeli company Rafael announced that together with its American partners from Raytheon, it has finalized the SkyCeptor missiles. Interceptor missiles can now be used in Patriot air defense systems without changes to the design of the launchers. Test launches of missiles are planned to be carried out by the end of this year. If they are successful, the US army can start purchasing SkyCeptor.
Launch of the SkyCeptor rocket
Image source: defensenews.com
"David's Sling" is a joint development of the Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and the American concern Raytheon. The new system occupies the second stage in Israel's three-tier missile defense system. The Iron Dome missile defense system is designed to deal with enemy short-range missiles, and the Hetz-2 systems are designed to destroy ballistic missiles. Development of the system began in 2006, and its final tests were completed in December 2015. According to the technical description ,the "David's Sling" is capable of tracking enemy missiles and aircraft at a distance of up to 300 km and destroying them with the help of interceptor missiles equipped with optoelectronic and radar guidance systems. In addition to missiles, the system is capable of hitting enemy aircraft, drones, and large-caliber rockets.
Patriot SAMs entered the US army in 1984 and today are in service in fourteen countries. For more than thirty years of service, the Patriot air defense system has undergone many modifications. One of its latest versions is equipped with PAC-3 MSE missiles, which have a radius of destruction increased by one and a half times compared to the PAC-3. The PAC-3 MSE interceptor missile was developed by Lockheed Martin in 2014 on the basis of the PAC-3, which was adopted by the US Army in 1994. From the basic version, the MSE model is distinguished by a more powerful engine, an enlarged tail and an improved guidance system, which allows you to hit targets faster and more accurately. The exact characteristics of the missiles are kept secret by the manufacturer, while indicating that the PAC-3 MSE has twice the intercept radius than the PAC-3.
