Israel Shoots Down Incoming Missile in Test of Arrow System

NY Times ^ | December 2, 2005 | GREG MYRE

[neverdem]

JERUSALEM, Dec. 2 - Israel conducted a successful test of its missile-interception system today, shooting down an incoming missile intended to simulate those in Iran's arsenal, the Defense Ministry said.

The test came a day after Israel's prime minister, Ariel Sharon, said that Israel could not accept an Iran with nuclear weapons.

In the latest test of the Arrow antimissile system, an Israeli aircraft over the Mediterranean Sea fired a missile on a trajectory designed to emulate an Iranian Shahab-3.

From an air force base in central Israel, an Arrow missile was launched and destroyed the incoming missile, according to the Defense Ministry. It also said that Israel has carried out more than a dozen tests of the Arrow in recent years, most of them successful.

Israel, in conjunction with the United States, stepped up work on an antimissile system after the 1991 Gulf War, when Iraq fired nearly 40 Scud missiles into Israel. The United States had supplied Israel with the Patriot antimissile system, which proved ineffective.

The Arrow system is more technologically advanced and is designed to intercept missiles at a much higher altitude than the Patriot system.

Today, Israel says its main threat is from Iran, which has Shahab-3 missiles capable of reaching Israel, according to Israeli military officials.

Israel believes that Iran is trying to develop nuclear weapons, though Iran says its nuclear program is strictly for generating power for civilian use.

Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, caused an uproar in October when he said Israel should be "wiped off the map."

[theDentist]

I'm sorry, Israel, but that doesn't work. Liberals (and some conservatives) here say it doesn't work and could never work due to speeds involved. So stop your tests, they are fruitless.

[msnimje]

I hope the second phase of their system is a swift and massive attack on Iran's Nuclear sites.

[EQAndyBuzz]

The test should be how long it takes from interception to launch a weapon of your own.

[gman992]

Sweet!

[mother22wife21]

Have to admit my heartbeat quickened at the first five words.

[Monitor]

The test should be how long it takes from interception to launch a weapon of your own.

Exactly. It should be stated policy - two nukes back at the country of origin for every one that's incomming, plus two more nukes at every country who supplied the intelligence and material to produce the incomming nuke.

[TeddyCon]

And now for the really good news...

The radiation fallout from a single atomic explosion in Israel would travel east with the jet stream winds, could be hundreds miles long, and up to 30 miles wide.

Distance from Tel Aviv to Tehran: 988 miles

Amman: 63 miles

Damascus: 132 miles

Mecca: 789 miles

Jeddah: 771 miles

Riyadh: 890 miles

Charles Darwin where art thou?

[familyop]

...remember, a few months ago, when the staging of the system there was supposedly stopped? Things are not always as they seem from the "news" during conflicts (for example, the war on terrorism).

Build a good defense for Israel, then let western Europe (which is within range) cope with Iran, IMO.

[American in Israel]

Interesting week, China reports Earthquake that levels 8000+ buildings that has the same seismic signature of a nuke test, which is an indication of a "Gee, our nukes we sell through NK work fine" to the Arabs, Israel says "we are not going to put up with nukes from Iran and tests an Anti-Missile system against a mock-up of the Iran version of the NK version of a Chinese designed missile, and on the side reports that the Patriot data link worked great.

So Israel is saying, you fire we shoot it down then we fire and you fry. So the only question, punk, is; "Do you feel Lucky".I think the Middle East nuclear count down clock just ticked off a minute today.

[TChris]

The United States had supplied Israel with the Patriot antimissile system, which proved ineffective.

As I recall, the Patriot did an admirable job, considering that it wasn't designed to shoot down other missiles.

[Knuckledragger]

Thank you Ronald Reagan.

The imagers on these interceptors are so advanced, they can actually pick an aimpoint on the target. Here's what one of our missiles saw before it impacted the target missile.

[Spok]

Isn't it nice to have an ally that's actually COMPETENT?!

[Yossarian]

Isn't it nice to have an ally that's actually COMPETENT?!

There's only one problem: Israel regularly passes off defense technology to our enemies like China.

They are friends, yes, but friends of friends aren't nessecarily friends.

[Pop Fly]

Whoa! Sweet image of that missle. We can't give up on technology that in 10 years could be vital to our survival.

[PsyOp]

"Mecca: 789 miles"

Here's my dream scenario. The mullahs in Teheran launch their shishkabob missle with nuclear warhead. The Isrealis shoot it with an Arrow an destroy it. The largely intact warhead's vector, changed by the impact, slams into the big black rock they worship in Mecca.

Haj becomes a death march.

[Robert A Cook PE]

Good result. For one test.

Expensive system, but it is not complete yet.

---

Notice that, IF an Iranian missile (carrying nuclear or biological weapons) is hit in flight, it will impact Iraq, Syria, or Lebonan (depending on flight trajectory.)

Nice to know your enemy's potentially deadly debris field is landing in another of your enemies' backyard.

[Walkingfeather]

GEEZ that is cool and amazing
.....

[Robert A Cook PE]

The United States had supplied Israel with the Patriot antimissile system, which proved ineffective.

As I recall, the Patriot did an admirable job, considering that it wasn't designed to shoot down other missiles.


My brother in-law was on a Patriot missile shooting down those inbound Scuds.

When hit, and NOT all of them did hit (unlike optimistic press releases said), the big missile WAS destroyed, but it was destroyed AS IT FELL (in unguided and tumbling) BIG pieces.)

If it were an airplane (the design-for target) it would be immediately destroyed of course. But a falling missile body, even when it falls off course and doesn't explode, can crush buildings, people, and cars. As the photo's showed.

[TeddyCon]

Works for me! Lol