Israel’s Ministry of Defense has fast-tracked the development of the Arrow-4 ballistic missile interceptor in response to recent Iranian ballistic missile attacks.
Analyst: Rocket engine test likely caused blast in Israel
JON GAMBRELL, Associated Press
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A satellite photo from Planet Labs Inc. shows what analysts describe as a test site for rocket motors at Israel s secretive Sdot Micha Air Base on Saturday, April 24, 2021. A mysterious blast heard earlier this month in central Israel appears to have come during a rocket engine test conducted at a secretive military base associated with the country s missile program, according to an analyst and satellite images. (Planet Labs Inc. via AP)AP
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) A mysterious blast heard in central Israel appears to have come during a rocket engine test conducted at a secretive military base associated with the country s missile program, according to an analyst and satellite images.
An Israeli Arrow-3 interceptor is launched from the US test range in Alaska.
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 hypersonic missiles.
“Israel needs to plan its missiles defense capabilities for many years to come. At this point there is no hypersonic missile threat on Israel, but when you design such an advanced interceptor, this capability should be included as some countries develop such missiles and in the middle east you must expect the unexpected,” an expert who spoke that with BD on condition of anonymity said.