U.S., Israel conduct test of Arrow 3 anti-ballistic system in Alaska

July 28 (UPI) -- The United States and Israel announced Sunday that they tested an Arrow 3 anti-ballistic weapon in a high altitude hit-to-kill engagement in Alaska, the first such test outside of Israel.

The U.S. Missile Defense Agency announced the Arrow 3 interceptor destroyed target missiles during the tests at Pacific Spaceport Complex-Alaska in Kodiak, Alaska.

"The Arrow 3 interceptor successfully demonstrated an engagement capability against the exo-atmospheric target during the test," the MDA said. "Preliminary analysis indicates that test objectives were successfully achieved."

The tests were a joint effort between the U.S. MDA and the Israel Missile Defense Organization of the Directorate of Defense Research and Development.

A Raytheon AN-TPY2 radar participated in the test but is not part of the Israeli missile defense architecture.

Israel conducted a test of the system earlier this year by firing an intercepting missile at a target at an undisclosed location in central Israel.

MDA Director Vice Adm. Jon Hill said the tests were a "major milestone" in the development of the Arrow Weapon System.

"This unique success in Alaska provides confidence in future Israeli capabilities to defeat the developing threats in the region," Hill said.

Boeing and Israeli companies Tomer, IAI-TMM and Rafael are lead contractors on the Arrow 3.