Context: Israel said the United States approved the landmark sale of the Arrow 3 hypersonic missile defense system to Germany, in the country’s biggest military deal worth $3.5 billion.
About Arrow 3
- It is also known as Hetz 3 is an exoatmospheric interception method that includes a two-stage interceptor, like the Arrow 2, but purely based on hit-to-kill technology.
- It is jointly funded, developed, and produced by Israel and the United States.
- It is part of the Arrow Weapon System (AWS) which is the world’s first operational, national, stand-alone ATBM (Anti Tactical Ballistic Missiles) defense system.
- Based on the uniquely effective Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 interceptors, the Arrow modular air defense systems detect, track, intercept, and destroy incoming TBMs carrying a range of warheads and over a large footprint, thereby protecting strategic assets and population centers.
- It provides exo-atmospheric interception of ballistic missiles (during the space-flight portion of their trajectory), including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) carrying nuclear, chemical, biological, or conventional warheads.
- With divert motor capability, its kill vehicle can switch directions dramatically, allowing it to pivot to see approaching satellites. The missile’s reported flight range is up to 2,400 km.
- Unlike most kill vehicles, which use liquid or gas propulsion, the new Israeli kill vehicle will be propelled by an ordinary rocket motor equipped with a thrust-vectoring nozzle.
- It will also be fitted with a gimbaled seeker for hemispheric coverage. By measuring the seeker’s line-of-sight propagation relative to the vehicle’s motion, the kill vehicle will use proportional navigation to divert its course and line up exactly with the target’s flight path.
- The system was first deployed in an Israeli air force base in 2017 and has been used to protect Israel against attacks from Iran and Syria.
