IAI Arrow 3

[sferrin]

Arrow 3 Test Was Successful

"This morning, the Ministry of Defense along with the US Missile Defense Agency, conducted the first successful test using the "Arrow 3" defense system designated for interception of ballistic missiles outside of the atmosphere.

For the past three years, the Ministry of Defense, IAI (Israeli Aerospace Industries) and IAF have been conducting tests on the "Arrow 3". This morning another one was conducted.

After launching the Sparrow target missile, the Arrow's radar system identified the target, transferred its specs to the battle management center, which analyzed it and conducted a full interception plan. With the completion of the plan, an "Arrow 3" interceptor was launched towards the target and destroyed it in space. There are plans for more tests of the "Arrow 3" interceptor system in the future, until the division becomes operational.

The first test of flight in "Arrow 3" interceptor was conducted in February, 2013, as part of a series of developments and tests of its parameters. This was an additional step in building Israel's operational abilities to withstand threats. The first test was conducted in a test range in the center of Israel."

 

[fredymac]

IAI video explaining Arrow 3 operations. I wonder how different this is from THAAD?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z93F1TnxfTM

 

[sferrin]

IAI video explaining Arrow 3 operations. I wonder how different this is from THAAD?

Arrow 3 is exoatmospheric only which is why they need to keep Arrow 2 around. THAAD does both. Arrow 3 might more divert capability (might) because of the way it maneuvers. It's KKV can actually change the direction it's flying where things like THAAD, SM-3, and such only translate side to side. On the other hand, unless the Arrow 3 KKV also has a separate divert system, it's reaction time is likely slower. THAAD-EX would use the upper stage to not only increase range but to significantly increase divert capability (both in and out of the atmosphere) giving the best of all possibilities.

 

[SlickDriver]

Apparently an Arrow 2 missile was used to intercept and destroy a S-200 SAM missile that had locked on to an Israeli F-15 over Northern Israel
http://debka.com/article/25970/Israeli-air-strikes-in-Syria-intercepts-missile

That's the first missile intercept of a SAM I believe.

 

[sferrin]

Apparently an Arrow 2 missile was used to intercept and destroy a S-200 SAM missile that had locked on to an Israeli F-15 over Northern Israel
http://debka.com/article/25970/Israeli-air-strikes-in-Syria-intercepts-missile

That's the first missile intercept of a SAM I believe.

Nope. PAT (Patriot) has been used as a target many times. Talos (SAM) was Vandal (missile target). BOMARCs were used as targets. Nike Zeus shot down Nike Hercules missiles. The Russians have used old SA-1s (Guild) as targets as well.

 

[bring_it_on]

I think he meant operationally.

 

[sferrin]

I think he meant operationally.

Where is the evidence that it was an S-200? I've seen the claim several times now but no sources. ???

 

[fightingirish]

B)

This rare image unveil Israel's protected shelter concept for the Arrow ABM system.
It is obviously not exclusively for A 3 (as I thought) but for A 2 also.
Inside the shelter there are 6 static launchers.
The reason to have a mix of static & mobile launchers are not quite clear...

Pictures at Twitter: https://twitter.com/reutersanders/status/996406310169169920

 

[fredymac]

Multiple Arrow 3 intercept tests in Alaska. It looks like the video of the intercept shows the Arrow still in boost phase.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1155429459727716353

 

[sferrin]

Not still in boost phase. The KKV has a motor onboard.

 

[sferrin]

Anybody know why Alaska?

 

[TomS]

Using the same testing infrastructure as Ground-Based Midcourse?

 

[Grey Havoc]

Possible.

 

[Flyaway]

Arrow-3 Successfully Intercepts Medium-Range Target Missile over the Pacific Ocean - Defense Update:

Arrow-3, the Israeli exo-atmospheric ballistic missile interceptor successfully intercepted three medium-range missile targets over the North Pacific Ocean. The event marked the completion of a full-capacity flight test campaign. Three Medium-Range Ballistic Missile targets were intercepted in...

defense-update.com

 

[Grey Havoc]

US Ban On Arrow Exports Overshadows Alaska Test - Breaking Defense

As Americans and Israelis celebrated the successful test of the Israeli Arrow-3 missile in Kodiak, Alaska, one factor cast a long shadow over the feast: the Americans’ repeated refusal to let the Israelis export the weapon. For any Israeli weapon developed with US funds, Washington has a veto...

breakingdefense.com

 

[Grey Havoc]

Israel, US Unveil Arrow 4, Missile Defense With Eye On Hypersonic Threats - Breaking Defense

TEL AVIV: Israel and the U.S have begun development of the Arrow 4 ballistic missile interceptor to deal largely with new Iranian long-range ballistic missile threats. A key design feature for the new Arrow will be winglets, helping it to intercept threats inside the atmosphere, in particular...

breakingdefense.com

Israel and US begin Arrow-4 development

Israel and the United States have begun developing the Arrow-4 missile defense system that includes next-generation interceptors and will replace the Arrow-2 over the next decades.

www.defensenews.com

 

[Ronny]

 

[aonestudio]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MfXJZmTVxQ

Israel successfully tests Arrow 3 anti-ballistic missile system

Defense Ministry says radar arrays detected incoming 'target' and two Arrow 3 interceptors were fired at it, destroying it; trial follows recent Iranian ballistic missile tests

www.timesofisrael.com

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvn1fNMB2kw

 

[jsport]

Israel Knocks out simulated Iranian missile using Arrow-3 Interceptor

Moscow (Sputnik) Jan 19, 2022 - The Arrow-3 is one of several missile and drone defence systems in Israel's arsenal, and is meant to counter threats including long-range ballistic and cruise missiles. Unlike the Iron Dome air defe

www.spacewar.com

IMDO, MDA complete flight tests for the Arrow Weapon System and Arrow 3 Interceptor

Washington DC (SPX) Jan 19, 2022 - the Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO) of the Directorate of the Defense Research and Development (DDR and D) at Israel's Ministry of Defense, together with the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (

www.spacewar.com

 

[TomcatViP]

Germany gets approval for Israel's Arrow 3 missile defense system

It would mark the first time that the Arrow 3, one of Israel’s most advanced air defense systems, has been sold to another country

m.jpost.com

 

[aonestudio]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1569866330139942913

View: https://twitter.com/alert5/status/1569866330139942913

 

[Zoo Tycoon]

I hope the U.K. follows Germany.

 

[Grey Havoc]

Your prayers may have been answered:

Israel and Germany discuss with US for acquisition of Arrow 3 air defense missile systems | Defense News October 2022 Global Security army industry | Defense Security global news industry army year 2022 | Archive News year

United States Department of Defense discusses with Israel and Germany regarding the approval for the sale of the Arrow 3 air defense missile system

www.armyrecognition.com

 

[Forest Green]

I hope the U.K. follows Germany.

I think the UK will likely either opt for the Franco-Italian Aster Blk II BMD since all the VLS cells on Type 45s are Sylver A50s, or go with SM-3, since Type 26s have Mk41s fitted. My money would be on the latter, and I think there is an Aegis based land system in the works too.

 

[Zoo Tycoon]

I understand while Aster 30 Bk ll is capable against S/IRBM, it’s well short of energy to address the top end threat, so will need a whole development cycle, maybe 10 years. I believe Arrow 3 is regarded as more capable than SM6 and THAAD particularly in terms of chased down manoeuvring.

A ready now system has a quality all of its own.

 

[sferrin]

I understand while Aster 30 Bk ll is capable against S/IRBM, it’s well short of energy to address the top end threat, so will need a whole development cycle, maybe 10 years. I believe Arrow 3 is regarded as more capable than SM6 and THAAD particularly in terms of chased down manoeuvring.

A ready now system has a quality all of its own.

Apples and oranges. Arrow 3 is strictly exoatmospheric only. More like SM-3 albeit less capable. SM-6 is atmospheric only and THAAD can do both.

 

[Forest Green]

I understand while Aster 30 Bk ll is capable against S/IRBM, it’s well short of energy to address the top end threat, so will need a whole development cycle, maybe 10 years. I believe Arrow 3 is regarded as more capable than SM6 and THAAD particularly in terms of chased down manoeuvring.

A ready now system has a quality all of its own.

Aster 30 BlkII can intercept ballistic missiles with a range up to 1500km, so you're looking at a Mach 10 or 3km/s target speed limitation. Endo-atmospheric only. SM-3 Blk2A can intercept any ballistic threat up to and including ICBM warheads. SM-6 can do all endo-atmospheric targets up to MRBM/IRBM(?). Aegis is the better capability.

 

[Forest Green]

Germany approves funds to buy Israeli air defence system

Berlin (AFP) June 14, 2023 - German lawmakers on Wednesday approved an advance payment for the purchase of the sophisticated Arrow 3 air defence system from Israel for nearly four billion euros ($4.3 billion).

www.spacewar.com

 

[aonestudio]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1692034580868399536

View: https://twitter.com/Israel_MOD/status/1692034580868399536

 

[Dilandu]

Well, today Arrow-3 sucsessfully intercepted medium-range ballistic missile, launched from Yemen. The interception was exoatmospheric, on 80+ kilometers altitude... So technically, it was a first real battle fought in space.

 

[NMaude]

The Russians have used old SA-1s (Guild) as targets as well.

The SA-1 Guild targets will have long since been all expended however I understand that Russia still has a large number of SA-2 Guidelines modified into missile-targets (I forget what its designation is though).

 

[Dilandu]

forget what its designation is though).

S-75 Dvina/S-75M Volkhov (there was also Volga export version)

 

[Forest Green]

Well, today Arrow-3 sucsessfully intercepted medium-range ballistic missile, launched from Yemen. The interception was exoatmospheric, on 80+ kilometers altitude... So technically, it was a first real battle fought in space.

Pretty brazen Iranian participation there too.

 

[Grey Havoc]

Iran starts the ball

www.tanknet.org

 

[Forest Green]

Iran starts the ball

www.tanknet.org

Think the costs work both ways. Iran spent an awful lot of money to get a few missiles through, hundred of millions of $s equivalents. If a single picture could sum up the attack, this would be it:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1779455215726432605

View: https://x.com/JerusalemDiary/status/1779455215726432605

Arrow related:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMhA43FtPwU

Other intercepts:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1779284961607967171

View: https://x.com/UKikaski/status/1779284961607967171

 

[Archibald]

From another thread (source @Grey Havoc )

Former financial advisor to the IDF Chief of General Staff estimates a cost of about 4-5 billion NIS, or 1-1.3 billion USD.

https://www.ynet.co.il/economy/article/rkl6kwygr

This is not sustainable. This is 5% of the IDF's annual budget spent in one night.

A single David's Sling missile costs $1 million. A single Arrow costs $3.5 million without specifying the variant (likely Arrow 2).

He estimates the cost for Iran was about 10% of that.

 

[Forest Green]

From another thread (source @Grey Havoc )

I doubt Iran's costs were only 10% of that. They fired at least 120+ ballistic missiles ranging from 500-1500km, plus 185+drones and 36 cruise missiles. I think it's a case of the $20k Shahed-136s that actually cost $290k again. People are using the wiki value of $150k for Fatteh-313, a near 9m long ballistic missile and probably similar pure fantasy values for Fattah-1 costs. I doubt Iran can sustain that level of attack, even assuming it wasn't bombed to kingdom come in the process of trying.

Iranian MRBM remains (Dead Sea Coast):

Diameter ~1.5m, Good luck convincing me that cost <$1m.


Some interesting information on Arrow 3. Never realised it was so much smaller than Arrow 2.

Arrow 3 (Israel) | Missile Threat

The Arrow 3 is a U.S.-Israeli-built missile defense interceptor designed to defeat medium-range ballistic missiles. Entering service in 2017, the missile uses a hit-to-kill warhead to engage targets in space. It is the longest-range interceptor currently fielded with the Arrow Weapon System...

missilethreat.csis.org

The Arrow 3 missile consists of a two-stage, solid-fueled booster with a separating kinetic kill vehicle (KV). Smaller than the Arrow 2, the missile fits in a 21-inch vertical launch tube and has an estimated flyout range of up to 2,400 km.

 

[NMaude]

It would appear that the Arrow 3 (And Arrow 2) have performed well in their first combat use.

Iranian MRBM remains (Dead Sea Coast):

Diameter ~1.5m, Good luck convincing me that cost <$1m.

That and other missile wreckage should provide an intelligence windfall for the Israelis concerning the design and construction of Iranian missiles.

Edit: Where did you get the photograph from?

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

Technical discussion only please.

 

[Forest Green]

It would appear that the Arrow 3 (And Arrow 2) have performed well in their first combat use.




That and other missile wreckage should provide an intelligence windfall for the Israelis concerning the design and construction of Iranian missiles.

Edit: Where did you get the photograph from?

Status-6 on twitter, more photos:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1779800085188022568

View: https://x.com/raging545/status/1779800085188022568

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16l2qhuqj-U