Story ID: 313
Rafael Touts Range of Missile Solutions
By: David Donald
Caption: Israeli company’s missile expertise is a legacy of a troubled region and the need for robust defense, but exports are also a key focus.
Word Count: 315
 “Rafael has a long legacy of developing missile technology,” noted Yoav Har-Even, president and CEO. “We are constantly working on upgrading our family of products, and have recently added more range to the I-Derby, taking it to 100 kilometers [with the I-Derby ER], as well as a software-defined radar seeker. And Python 5 continues to be one of the world’s best air-to-air missiles.”

For more than 60 years, Israel’s Rafael has been developing and delivering air-to-air missiles, including five generations of short-range missiles and two of medium-range weapons. Thirteen air forces use the company’s missiles, and they have notched more than 140 aerial victories.

In recent years, the company has expanded its expertise into the surface-to-air missile sector, utilizing both Python 5 and Derby in its Spyder air defense system. Proving to be a crucial system in protecting the population in Israel is the Iron Dome short-range defense system. “With 90 percent interception rate and over 1,500 interceptions, Iron Dome has proven time and again to be a game-changer, significantly reducing the strategic threat posed by ballistic missile and rocket attacks, at an affordable price,” said Har-Even. “Iron Dome continues to undergo upgrades and improvements to give it the capacity to deal with more challenges, more effectively.”

Rafael (Chalet C22) has also developed the David’s Sling medium-range air defense system in partnership with Raytheon. The highly advanced system is now being delivered to the Israeli air and space force after four successful tests.

Another product line is the Spike family of multi-purpose precision attack missiles. On show at Farnborough is the latest member, the 18.6-mile (30-km)-range Spike NLOS that can be fired from several air, sea and land platforms. The missile can be fitted with a variety of warhead types, and has a versatile guidance system that allows it to be reprogrammed in flight via a datalink.