Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) announced on Monday a successful trial of its Barak-8 Air and Missile Defense System, after it shot down a target that simulated an incoming hostile aircraft.
The trial, conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Defense, tested the next generation of defenses that are currently being installed on Israel Navy ships to protect them from a variety of threats, including Yakhont Surface to Sea guided missiles that are in the possession of Hezbollah.
Barak-8 is being jointly developed by India's Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), and will also be deployed by the Indian Defense Forces.
"The current test validated all components of the weapon system to the satisfaction of the customer representatives. Israeli specialists and Indian scientists, including IMOD's and DRDO's representatives participated in the test, along with both countries' armed forces officers," IAI said in a statement.
Joseph Weiss, IAI's President and CEO, who was present at the testing-site, said:" The system's impressive, advanced capabilities proven today in this complex test, are another testimony of IAI's resilience, advanced and groundbreaking capabilities. Barak-8 Air & Missile Defense System is a major growth engine for the company." Boaz Levi, IAI's Executive Vice President and General Manager of Systems, Missiles & Space Group said it was the first trial involving a full operational scenario.
After being detected by the System's radar, the weapon system calculated the optimal interception point, launched the Barak-8 missile into its operational trajectory that acquired the target, and successfully intercepted it. All the weapon system's components met the test's goals successfully, he said.
"The radar tracked the target, and at the right moment, the system went into action. It built up an operational scenario, and the mission missile was fired at the right time. It received updates throughout its trajectory. It then opened its eye, and acquired the target through an independent sensor, destroying it completely," Levi added.
"We are moving towards systematic production of the Barak-8," Levi said.
In addition to prime contractor, IAI, the Barak-8 project involves ELTA Systems Ltd.- an IAI subsidiary which produces the defense system's radars, and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, which manufactures the interceptor missile.
Barak-8 employs a state-of-the-art phased array multi-mission radar, two-way data link, and flexible command and control system, according to IAI.
The system has been under development for several years, and Monday's trial is the latest in a series of tests.
JPost
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