September 14, 1998
ARROW MISSILE MAKES SUCCESSFUL TEST LAUNCH
(Jointly Communicated by Defense Ministry and U.S. Military's Arrow
Project Directorate)
Another successful test of the Arrow weapon system was conducted today
(Monday), 14.9.98, at 14:45 hours, at the Israel Air Force (IAF) test site
at Palmahim. The success of the test is an important milestone in building
an operational response to the threat of surface-to-surface missiles.
The test included the launching and flight of the Arrow 2 missile, but was
not meant to intercept a target.
This was a complete system test, in which all components of the weapon
system actively participated.
A target simulator created a simulated ballistic missile target which was
picked up by the fire control radar -- Green Pine -- which tracked it and
sent its data to the intercept management system -- Gold Etrog.
The intercept management system transmitted an intercept order to the
launcher control system, and from there to the Arrow launcher, which
successfully fired the missile.
An initial analysis of the findings shows that all components of the
weapon system and the Arrow missile systems operated as planned, and that
all of the test's objectives were achieved.
About 97 seconds after the missile was launched, the test was completed
and ended with the activation of the missile's warhead.
The main contractor of the Arrow missile and the entire weapon system is
MALAM, a division of Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI).
The Green Pine fire control radar was developed and produced by Elta
Electronics Industries Ltd., an IAI subsidiary. The Gold Etrog intercept
control system was developed and produced by Tadiran Electronic Systems
Ltd.
The test's success is a significant milestone in the Homa (Wall) program,
and will advance the Arrow weapon system's entry into operational
status.
The Defense Ministry adds:
Defense Minister Yitzhak Mordechai, who was briefed on the results of the
test this afternoon by Defense Ministry Director General Ilan Biran,
praised the Arrow system's successful showing and congratulated all those
associated with the project.
Several weeks ago, Defense Minister Mordechai approved the Arrow program
for the next decade, integrating it into the multi-year plan of the IDF
and the Defense Ministry.