With U.S. Backing, Israel Tests More Powerful Rocket Interceptors

David's Sling, also known as the "Magic Wand" system, can intercept mid-range missiles. Photo by Haaretz

Israel Says Successfully Tests More Powerful Rocket Interceptor -- Reuters

(Reuters) - A new Israeli air shield against rockets more powerful than those intercepted by Iron Dome in the Gaza conflict passed its first field test last week after being rushed through development, officials said on Sunday.

They said that David's Sling, billed as Israel's answer to the longer-range missiles of Lebanese Hezbollah guerrillas and Syria, shot down a target rocket in a secret November 20 desert trial that coincided with fierce shelling exchanges between Israel and Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Worried about deteriorating security on the fronts with Gaza, Lebanon and Syria, and the international showdown over the disputed nuclear program of arch-foe Iran, Israel has been accelerating work on its multi-tier missile shield, with extensive help from the United States.

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More News On Israel's Rocket Interceptor Program

Israel successfully tests missile defense system -- AP
Israel's David's Sling defense system intercepts mid-range missile in first trial -- Haaretz
Israel successfully tests Magic Wand system -- YNet News
Israel reports success in new missile defence test -- AFP
Israel tests new weapon, but gap remains -- UPI
Israel Successfully Tests David's Sling Defense System -- RIA Novosti
Israel conducts first interception test of David’s Sling -- World Tribune
Israel Successfully Test Fires ‘David’s Sling’ Missile Defense System -- Eurasia Review/RT
U.S.-Israel Missile System Scores First Intercept -- Defense News
Israel developing next-generation missile defense system with help from Raytheon -- Boston.com
Longer-range Israel rocket interceptor seen ready within 3 years -- Reuters
Israel’s Iron Dome is the hero of the hour, but bigger challenges lie ahead -- Haaretz
Iron Dome’s Lessons for the U.S. -- Mark Thompson, Time
How did Iron Dome perform over course of Gaza clash? -- Mark Urban, BBC
Why Israel's "Iron Dome" Missile-Defense System Actually Works -- MIT Technology Review