OREANDA-NEWS. The next-generation Arrow 3 interceptor, co-developed by Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Israel Aerospace Industries’ (IAI) MLM Division, has completed its second successful flight test, further demonstrating its ability to enhance Israel’s multi-tier anti-ballistic missile defense strategy.

Arrow 3 is the latest interceptor for the Arrow Weapon System jointly developed by Israel and the United States. It can be launched earlier after threat detection and engage threats at higher altitudes outside the Earth’s atmosphere than previous interceptors.
“This successful flight test, 10 months after the first, is an important milestone in the decade-long partnership between IAI and Boeing in the Arrow program, and a demonstration of the effective solutions that come from global cooperation in the face of evolving threats,” said Bill Dickerhoff, Arrow program director for Boeing.

The flight was conducted by the Israel Ministry of Defense and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency during a test of Israel’s national missile defense system. It began on Jan. 3 at 7:58 a.m. local time when the Arrow 3 interceptor launched from an Israeli test range and flew in accordance with its mission profile before terminating as planned over the Mediterranean Sea.

The Arrow system is the world’s first operational, national missile defense system. Prime contractor IAI-MLM is responsible for interceptor development and production and system integration. Boeing co-develops and co-produces the Arrow 3 interceptor and provides interceptor components for the in-service Arrow 2.