ARROW 3 - DEFENCE & SECURITY

News: Iron Dome | Israel’s missile defence shield

 

What's in the news?

       Israel recently confirmed that it used its sophisticated Arrow 3 missile interceptor against Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

 

Arrow-3 Missile Defence System:

  1. It is an exo-atmospheric anti-ballistic missile defence system for long-range threat engagement.
  2. The missile was jointly developed by Israel Aerospace Industries and the Missile Defence Agency in the US.
  3. Initially deployed in 2017, Arrow-3 is the top layer of Israel's sophisticated air-defence network.
  4. It is designed to take out ballistic missiles while they are still outside of the atmosphere.

 

Features:

  1. It uses two-stage solid-fuelled interceptors to engage short and medium-range ballistic missiles and consists of a launcher, radar, and battle management system.
  2. It provides a range of 2,400km and can intercept threats at an altitude of 100 km.
  3. It has early warning and fire control radar. It provides extended-range acquisition as well as multi-target acquisition and tracking capabilities.

 

How does it work?

  1. It uses hit-to-kill technology to destroy incoming missiles.
  2. The missile is launched vertically, and then the direction is changed towards the estimated interception point.
  3. The high-resolution electro-optical sensor acquires the target for the kill vehicle to hit the target and destroy the warhead.