Israel’s Arrow-3 Intercepts Missile Target In Space

The Israeli Defense Ministry has successfully tested on locking on a missile target from space using its Arrow-3 anti-ballistic missile defense system jointly developed with the US.

"We can confirm a complete success this morning (Thursday)," said Yair Ramati, of the Defense Ministry’s Administration for the Development of Weapons. "At 8:10 we launched the intercepting missile at the target and hit it. It is the best result possible." Jerusalem Post reported Thursday.

Undertaken by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Boeing, Arrow 3 project is overseen by the Israeli Ministry of Defense's "Homa" administration and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency. It will provide exo-atmospheric interception of ballistic missiles.

The Arrow 3 interceptor missile is capable of operating in space as its hypersonic speed allows it to overcome the atmosphere.

The system is incorporated into Israel's multi-level defense shield and designed to intercept missiles of varying ranges — from short-range missiles fired from neighboring territories, to long-range missiles launched from Iran, the news daily reported.

A previous Arrow 3 test, conducted by Israel in December 2014, failed. According to reports, the launch of the Arrow 3 interceptor missile had to be canceled as it had failed to lock on to its target missile.