Arrow Weapon System (AWS)

Manufacturer:

Boeing [BA] and Israeli Aircraft Industries (IAI) signed a strategic teaming agreement that will lead to Boeing building parts of the Arrow missile system.

Characteristics:

The AWS uses interceptors, a fire control radar and Arrow fire control radar and battle management command center.

Combat Use:

Arrow, an upper tier defensive system, is able to take multiple shots in a combat scenario to defend against short and medium range incoming enemy missile targets.

Foreign Users:

Arrow is an Israeli system co-produced with the United States.

Analysis:

This past year the Israeli Ministry of Defense (MoD) reported continued successful tests of the Arrow Weapon System (AWS), including the first in a series of tests against new expanded target sets. Those tests against more complex targets are expected to continue to evaluate the systemís performance against the next generation of incoming threats. Testing is part of the ongoing Arrow System Improvement Program. The most recent test in January marked the first in the latest series of Arrow Interceptor tests and the fifth test of the complete weapon system. The test was conducted from the Palmachim Air Base, south of Tel Aviv. Boeing [BA] and Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) more than a year ago signed a strategic teaming agreement that will lead to Boeing building parts of the Arrow missile. Boeing initially put Arrow co-production talks on hold until technology transfer issues were resolved. IAI officials said they selected Boeing to co-produce Arrow in an effort to reduce costs and expedite the planned production rate. During this latest test, four simulated targets were injected into the fire control radar. An incoming target was not needed for the test, the Israeli MoD noted. All of the Arrow system components performed in their operational configuration, the MoD reported. Immediately after the target firing, the test director initiated the targets simulation. Then, the Arrow fire control radar acquired the targets and the battle management command center calculated the defense plan for each target and sent a mission command to the launcher. The launcher was equipped with six interceptors and four of them were launched, the MoD noted. The test interceptor was the first to be launched and it was then followed by three short burning time motor interceptors to check the multi launching process, it said. “The test objectives, which were defined together with the U.S. partner, were to analyze the interceptor’s performance under special flight conditions,” the MoD said. During the war in Iraq, the AWS worked in conjunction with Raytheon [RTN] Patriot-2s. Uzi Rubin, a former Israeli MoD official in the spring said the Arrows worked well and more will be needed in the future. With the blessing of the United States, Rubin said the current production of Arrow will be faster. Currently, the AWS is deployed to two sites in central Israel and the Patriot is fully integrated with Arrow, Rubin noted. Early warning for the system is provided by U.S. assets and the Arrow radar at the Green Pine location, he noted. In the integrated mode, Arrow provides an upper tier defense and Patriot provides the second layer, Rubin said. “The whole system is operational and ready,” he said. However, given the instability in the region and increased threat from terrorism, Rubin said in his opinion there is a need for additional AWS batteries. “We need to look at our assets…we need more battery assets,” Rubin said, also adding the need for more assets would also include more Patriots. Evaluating the future threat, Rubin warned of possible problems with a variety of states including Iran and Syria. “Iran has passed the point of no return,” Rubin said. “Their missiles will be developed and deployed. Even a change in regime will not stop them.” Iran’s Shihab-2 is a success and very accurate, and its range will be extended to more than 1,500 km to strike Israeli targets, he said. And, while Iran contends it has no plans to develop ICBMs, very soon it intends to test launch an extended range Shihab that it says is for satellite launch, he noted. “That launcher would be very close to an ICBM,” he said. Rubin also reported the Syrian missile arsenal will continue to be improved and become more lethal. Syria continues to produce and develop the 500 km Scud C and the 700 km Scud D, as well as continued testing of non-conventional warheads, he noted. And, before to the war, Iraq was developing a new ballistic missile, the Samoud, under the guise of a U.N.-sanctioned 150 km missile, Rubin said. There also is suspected development of a new 1,000-plus km missile, he added. Egypt also is reported to be in negotiations for purchase of a 1,200 km No Dong missile from North Korea, Rubin said.