IMDO- Israel Missile Defense Organization

Israel's Missile Defense Organization (IMDO), is a division within the Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D), at Israel's Ministry of Defense. IMDO is responsible for the development, management and improvement of  Israel's active defense systems including interceptors, launchers, radars, command and control systems, network connectivity and more. Today, Israel is protected by a multi-layered defense array, which includes the Arrow-2, Arrow-3, David's Sling, and Iron Dome active defense systems. Together, they defend Israel against various airborne threats.

History:

On May 6th, 1985  Israel and the United States signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), on the development of a missile defense system againt long-range threats. A year later, the decision was made to develop an interception system adapted to Israel's unique security needs, leading to the launch of the development program for the Arrow weapon system. 

The IMDO was established in 1991 following the First Gulf War with various departments responsible for the development, production and budgeting of various programs. Several years following the establishment of the IMDO, on November 29th, 1998, the first Arrow-2 system was transferred to the Israeli Air Force (IAF), and in Novemer 2002, the placement of two batteries was completed.

Our Systems:

Many of the IMDO's initatives are carried out in close collaboration with the United States Missile Defense Agency (MDA), and receive joint funding. The great relationship between these two organizations also translates into the cooperation between  Israeli and American defense industries, which serve as key contributors to the development and production processes of the defense array.

Iron Dome: Intercepts short-range surface-to-surface rockets (bottom layer)

David's Sling: Intercepts short to medium and medium to long range surfarce-to-surface missiles (middle layer)

Arrow-2: Intercepts medium to long range missiles (upper layer)

Arrow-3: Intercepts long-range missiles (upper layer)

Iron Dome:

The Iron Dome is an innovative, mobile system that defends the state against short-range rockets. It is capable of successfully handling multiple incoming threats simultaneously. Furthermore, the Iron Dome is the world's first missile defense system developed to tackle the threat of short range rockets and UAVs.

Development of the Iron Dome was lauched in 2007 and the system became operational in March, 2011. Shortly thereafter on April 7th, 2011, it performed its first operational interception of a grad rocket fired from the Gaza Strip at the Israeli city of Ashkelon. Since then, the Iron Dome's capabilities have been tested consistently,  and the system has successfully prevented countless rockets from hitting Israeli communities. During Operation Pillar of Defense in 2012 and Operation Protective Edge in 2014, the Iron Dome's success rate reached 90% and its abilities only continue to improve with time. As a result, in 2012, the Iron Dome was awarded the prestigious Israel Defense Prize.

The United States was a  partner in the development of the Iron Dome system, and continues to develop the system with Israel today. IMDO leads the development of the Iron Dome, with Rafael Advanced Defense Systems as the main contractor, together with Elta of the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), and mPrest of Rafael.

MMR Radar Detection and Fire Control: The MMR Radar detects the rocket's routes over Iron Dome batteries.

Command and Control Center: The command and control center analyzes the trajectory of rockets and their estimated landing area to effectively intercept the target. The system was developed by mPrest.

Launcher:  The interceptor receives an order to operate from the command and control unit.

David's Sling:

The David's Sling is an innovative, defensive solution for tackling large caliber rockets, short range ballistic missiles and developing  threats. Its system is designed to strike the target directly. David's Sling significantly strengthens Israel's aerial defense strategy and is a central factor in Israel's multi-tiered defense array, providing additional protection against short and medium range threats, and complementing the capailities of the Arrow and the Iron Dome systems.

Development of the David's Sling began in 2006. In 2016, David's Sling was transferred to the Israeli Air Force and in April, 2017 was declared operational following a series of tests. 

The David's Sling was awarded the Technology Pioneer Award at the 2017 Multinational Ballistic Missile Ddefense (BMD), Conference in Boston, Massachusetts, in recognition of groundbreaking achievements in Lower-Tier Ballistic Missiles and Cruise Missile Defense.

The David's Sling Weapon System was developed as a result of the cooperation between the U.S. and Israel. The primary contractor for the system is Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, with Raytheon Missile  Systems as a sub-contractor. The MMR is developed by Elta, a subsidiary of IAI. The  BMC, known as the Golden Almond, is developed by Elisra, an Elbit subsidiary.

Golden Almond (Command and Control  Center): The Golden Almond, the David's Sling command and control center, provides threat assessment, planning and control for interception.

MMR (Radar System): The MMR radar system is used for detection, identification and tracking of airborne threats.

David's Sling Interceptor:  The David's Sling interceptor consists of two stages with front and rear steering systems enabling effective performance. The interceptor is jointly produced by Rafael and Raytheon.

Arrow-2:

Development of the Arrow system accelerated in 1991 following IMDO's establishment and due to the firing of scud missiles onto Israel during the First Gulf War. On November 29th, 1998, the first Arrow-2 system was transferred to the Israeli Air Force (IAF),  and in November 2002, the placement of two batteries was completed.

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), is the primary contractor for the development of the Arrow System.

Citron Tree (Command and Control  Center): The Citron Tree is one of the most advanced command and control centers in the world. It is linked to the systems of the IAF and the IDF Homefront Command and is capable of interface with external systems.  It was developed and manufactured by Elbit Systems.

Green Pine and Super Green Pine (Radar System): The Green Pine Radar System is used for the detection, identification and tracking of ballistic missiles with long-range capabilities. The Super Green Pine is an ehnanced version of the Green Pine radar system. Both systems are developed and manufactured by Elta, an IAI subsidiary.

Interceptor:  The Arrow-2 is equipped with an operational, advanced interceptor system, defined by its two-stage capability and impressive maneuverability. The interceptor was developed and manufactured by IAI's MLM division.

Arrow-3:

Arrow-3 serves as the top layer of Israel's defense array. Its interceptor is a world-class missile that, together with the Arrow-2, significantly expands the State of Israel's defense capabilities. The Arrow-3 system's capabilities enable longer range, higher altitude (exo-atmospheric), and more precise ballistic missile engagements.

Development of the Arrow is a joint Israeli-American project, and the collaboration of the MDA proved invaluable to its success. The primary contractor for the integration and development of the Arrow Weapon System is MLM of IAI. The Elisra Company, a subsidiary of Elbit systems, developed the BMC system. Boeing, Tomer and Rafael are the main subcontractors for the development and integration of the interceptor. Rafael is the company responsible for the development of various components of the weapon system.

On January 18th, 2017, IMDO transferred the operational Arrow-3  to the Israeli Air Force (IAF), Aerial Defense Array, and in the same year, the system was awarded the Israel Defense Award.

In July 2019, the IMDO and the U.S. MDA completed a series of tests of the Arrow 3 weapon system in Alaska, and successfully demonstrated hit-to-kill interceptions of high altitude, exo-atmospheric targets.

IMDO continues to improve each of its systems, adapting and advancing its capablities to a wide range of threats.