Israeli Air Force deploying 'David's Sling' missile defense system

JERUSALEM, March 3 (UPI) -- The David's Sling missile defense system is being delivered to the Israel Air Force ahead of the system's full deployment.

"After a series of concluding trials of the David's Sling aerial defense system, Israel's Missile Defense Organization at the Defense Ministry, together with the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, began delivering major components of the system to the Israeli Air Force," Israel's Ministry of Defense said in a statement.

"David's Sling will allow Israel to more effectively defend against the wide range of current and future threats to its civilians."

The report of the ministry action appeared in the Times of Israel , an online newspaper.

David's Sling, also known as Magic Wand, is for use against tactical ballistic missiles, medium- to long-range rockets and cruise missiles. It was developed by Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Raytheon with funding from Israel and the United States.

The system completed a final set of major tests last December and was declared operational.

The Times of Israel said it will take several weeks for all of the components to be delivered beginning with the radar, interception and command and control systems.

"In the near future, the process of testing all of the system components and the final declaration by the Air Force that the system is ready for use will occur," according to the ministry.