Can the Arrow thwart Iran's Shihab 3?

In the face of Iran's continued race towards nuclear power, as well as growing tensions with Syria, the Israel Air Force will hold an exercise in the coming weeks to test the Arrow missile defense system's capability in tracking an advanced Iranian Shihab 3, The Jerusalem Post has learned.

An Iranian research rocket is launched in this image taken from Iranian TV at an unknown launch site in Iran, Monday.

The test will be held over the next few weeks and will test the capabilities of the Green Pine Radar - an integral part of the Arrow missile defense system - as it tracks a missile made by Rafael - called Black Sparrow - that mimics an upgraded version of Iran's Shihab 3 ballistic missile.

Defense officials said that the Black Sparrow would be fired by an IAF fighter jet off Israel's coast. The missile will mimic a Shihab 3 carrying a split warhead and with advanced radar evading capabilities.

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Obviously Israel expects the worst, and is ramping up their defense systems to thwart any attacks from Iran. From what I read, this project is being funded by the Pentagon.



[edit on 4/4/08 by LLoyd45]