Israel’s Rafael reveals SkySonic, the first-ever hypersonic missile interceptor
The Israeli state-owned defense contractor behind the Iron Dome and David's Sling air shields announced the development of the new system a week after Iran said it had produced its first such weapon
A week after Iran unveiled its new Fattah missile and claimed that it has hypersonic capabilities (speed higher than the speed of sound) that would make it difficult for Israeli defense systems to intercept, Rafael revealed on Wednesday an interceptor missile named SkySonic, designed to intercept hypersonic missiles.
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Rafael stated that the interception system is in advanced stages of development and will soon undergo its first flight tests. Rafael refused to specify the planned timetables for the completion of the development but mentioned that engineering teams have been working on it for several years, predating the threat of hypersonic missiles. The unveiling of the development today coincides with Rafael's intention to present the missile next week as part of the Paris Air Show.
The Israeli state-owned defense contractor is also behind the Iron Dome and David's Sling air shields.
The Pentagon was briefed on the development, Rafael said. It declined to say if or when the Israeli military might deploy SkySonic. Israel's defence ministry had no immediate comment.
Hypersonic missiles can fly at least five times faster than the speed of sound and on a complex trajectory, making them hard to shoot down.
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An animated video rendition of SkySonic issued by Rafael showed an interceptor missile taking off vertically from a launch battery. The missile's warhead is then shown detaching and flying with its own booster toward an incoming threat.
Israel's arch-enemy Iran on June 6 went public with what it described as its first domestically made ballistic hypersonic missile, Fattah. The missile can reach 15,000 kms/hr and evade Israeli defenses like the short-range Iron Dome, Iran's state TV said.
Rafael Chairman Yuval Steinitz stated in a press briefing this afternoon that the technology behind the system is exclusive to Rafael and not possessed by any other entity worldwide.
Reuters contributed to this report
