Previously on January 5, Israel carried out a definitive test to establish whether its anti-missile and anti-air defenses are proof this time against potential hazards from the sky.
The test was part of the Arrow System Improvement Program - A.S.I.P which is currently being jointly carried out by Israel and the U.S.
The test objectives which were defined together with the U.S. partner, were to analyze the interceptor's performance under special flight conditions. An incoming target was not needed for the test. The Air Force launched four Arrow interceptor missiles nearly simultaneously from a base in the center of the country.
The test confirmed ability of the missile launcher to send four missiles - one of which will be armed with a warhead - to different targets.
All the system components performed in their operational configuration.
Immediately after the start of the targets simulation, the Fire Control Radar (FCR) acquired the targets, the Battle Management Command Center (BMC) calculated the defense plan for each target and sent a mission command to the launcher.
The launcher was equipped with six interceptors; four of them were launched.
The test's success was judges as a major step in the development of the Arrow Weapon system and in response to the evolving threat of ballistic missiles in the arena.
As war rhetoric was ratched up to new heights in Washington, in Israel the "Red Hail" war alert went into effect on January 14 with the opening of large scale US-Israel air defense exercises. The Israeli Minister of Defense informed Washington that its army, air, navy and home front forces have completed war preparations.
Israel's Ministry of Defense reported that it was the tenth Arrow Interceptor test and the fifth test of the complete weapon system and its timing was decided in advance of the joint exercises, as part of the planning program.
The approximately $10 million test launching was the first time Israel fired more than one Arrow missile in the same attempt.