Israeli defense contractor Rafael announced on June 14 that it had been developing the Sky Sonic interceptor missile system for three years and would debut it at the Paris Air Show next week. Company officials said they had received permission from the Israeli Defense Ministry to unveil the product.
Graphical simulation of Sky Sonic interceptor missile
The Times of Israel quoted the company's announcement as saying that Sky Sonic is a technological leap forward in defense against hypersonic missiles.
"Designed with extraordinary agility and high speed capabilities, the system can effectively neutralize hypersonic missiles with unparalleled precision and stealth," Rafael said. Hypersonic missiles have a speed of five times the speed of sound.
Israel has its first hypersonic missile interceptor system
The Israeli company did not say when Sky Sonic would be ready for use but said it would conduct its first test in the near future.
Chairman Rafael Yuval Steinitz, who has headed several Israeli ministries, said the company identified the potential threat from hypersonic missiles years ago and set up a research and development project. "We are following developments and emerging threats in the current security landscape and are developing the most advanced defense systems," he said.
The official noted that Rafael's David's Sling medium-range missile defense system, which is already in use by the military, can technically counter hypersonic missiles, but the new Sky Sonic system was developed specifically for this threat.
Sky Sonic system simulation graphic
Rafael's announcement comes after Iran, Israel's main rival, recently announced it had developed a new hypersonic missile called Fattah.
Hypersonic missiles have speeds of Mach 5 (6,125 km/h) or more, and Iran says the Fattah missile can reach Mach 15 (18,375 km/h). Most air defense systems intercept threats at altitudes of up to 20 km, while anti-ballistic missile systems can intercept targets outside the atmosphere, which is about 70 km from the ground.
The Sky Sonic system is designed to intercept hypersonic missiles at altitudes of 20-70 km, an area where missiles typically maneuver to avoid being shot down by traditional air defense systems.
Iran unveils first domestically developed hypersonic ballistic missile
Superpowers such as the US, China and Russia are all developing hypersonic missiles. Russia even claims to have used this weapon in the conflict in Ukraine. Moscow said it used the Kinzhal hypersonic missile to destroy Ukraine's US-made Patriot air defense system. Meanwhile, Ukraine said it used Patriot to shoot down the Kinzhal missile.
Rafael is one of Israel's major defense contractors, having developed the country's leading weapons systems such as the famous Iron Dome short-range missile defense system and the Spike anti-tank missile.
Rafael is also developing a high-energy laser interceptor system called Iron Beam, which is said to be a potential game-changer in the fight against airborne threats.
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