Non-Subscriber ExtractIAI exhibits full-size Arrow 3 at Paris |
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By Doug Richardson
09 July 2009
The Arrow 3 (right) is slightly smaller than the existing Arrow 2 (left), but this full-scale model gave no clue to the location of the junction between the first and second stages. The flared base will be used for aerodynamic control. (IHS Jane's/Patrick Allen)
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) displayed a full-size model of its new Arrow 3 missile-defence interceptor at the Paris Air Show, held between 15 and 21 June, alongside a similar model of the current Arrow 2.
Although slightly smaller than the older missile, Arrow 3 will operate with the existing ground equipment and is intended to act as an upper-tier complement, engaging the latest longer-range threats. Working together, the two are intended to provide a near-zero leakage rate.
Testifying before the House Armed Services Committee on 21 May, Lieutenant General Patrick J O'Reilly, director of the US Missile Defense Agency (MDA), confirmed that the US and Israel had begun development of the Arrow 3.
He said that an analysis of alternatives had shown that the new missile may have a reduced 30-year life-cycle cost and potentially a better performance than the land-based version of the Raytheon Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) to meet Israel's requirements.
O'Reilly said the Arrow 3 was thought to have a "very high schedule and technical risk to meet the Israeli proposed need date". He added that "to mitigate the Arrow 3 development schedule risk, we are ensuring that the development of a land-based variant of the proven Aegis [System] SM-3 missile is available to meet Israel's upper-tier requirements".