News

News

Tuesday
December, 5
More

    Rafael upgrades Spyder system to counter tactical ballistic missiles

    Featured in:

    JERUSALEM — The Spyder air defense system can now counter tactical ballistic missiles thanks to an upgrade by its Israeli manufacturer, driven by “urgent operational requests from several existing customers throughout the world.”

    The new feature by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems comes amid Russia’s war in Ukraine, which has featured a barrage of aerial attacks, as well as missile tests by North Korea and Iran.

    “The new capability involves the Derby LR missile interceptor, which underwent both hardware and software upgrades, which were adapted according to customer requests and from lessons learned from operational events,” a company official said.

    READ MORE: New F-35 engine deliveries suspended amid ongoing investigation

    In a separate statement, Rafael noted the additional capability “involved researching and analyzing the lessons learned from recent and ongoing armed conflicts involving extensive use of tactical ballistic missiles.”

    The Spyder was seen in the last year in the United Arab Emirates, a country that signed a peace deal in 2020 with Israel and which has faced drone and missile threats. Georgia, Vietnam, Singapore, the Czech Republic and the Philippines are among those who have acquired the system, according to media reports and open-source information. However, Israeli companies often do not divulge the name of their customers.

    Rafael showcased Spyder in Bahrain in November 2021, and at the NATO Days event in September 2022 in the Czech Republic. The company also announced its Spyder “all-in-one” system in Singapore in early 2022, which incorporates radar, electro-optical/infrared, and launcher technology onto a single platform.

    READ MORE: F-15EX tests added missile capabilities

    Rafael said last year the system is designed to confront aircraft, bombs, drones and precision-guided munitions, and that it was “the only Israeli-made air defense system acquired by a NATO member state.”

    Rafael is one of Israel’s largest defense companies and is behind the successful Iron Dome system, which is a short-range air defense system. The company also makes the David’s Sling air defense system. Together with Israel’s long-range Arrow, the three air defense systems are part of the country’s multilayered approach to countering aerial threats.

    The company said the Spyder “provides effective protection of valuable assets and first-class defense for forces located in the combat area.”

    “Its autonomous capabilities can detect threats while on the move and enables a [360-degree] launch within seconds of the target being declared hostile, in all-weather, multi-launch, and net-centric capabilities,” Rafael said in a statement.

    READ MORE: F-35 Lightning II multirole fighters to get new AN/APG-85 radar

    It is an open-architecture platform that can be integrated with other systems, and it can use Rafael’s Python-5 and Derby missiles. Depending on the interceptor chosen, the system can confront targets out to 80 kilometers (50 miles).

    Find us on

    Latest articles

    - Advertisement -

    Related articles

    South Korea picks Embraer’s C-390 for military transport aircraft

    SAO PAULO — Brazilian aerospace firm Embraer has won a South Korean military tender for transport...

    US, Australia eye joint hypersonics experiments in 2024

    SIMI VALLEY, Calif. — The U.S. Defense Department plans to conduct joint hypersonics experiments with the...

    Anduril reveals Roadrunner drone, mum on first US customer

    WASHINGTON — Anduril Industries unveiled its latest autonomous system, Roadrunner — a reusable aircraft that can...

    Canada to buy Boeing-made Poseidons in $5.9 billion deal

    VICTORIA, British Columbia — The Canadian military will start receiving in 2026 Boeing-made P-8A Poseidons it...

    Lawmakers urge Air Force to shift fighters to guard,...

    WASHINGTON — A bipartisan group of lawmakers on Thursday urged the Air Force to temporarily shift...

    Air Force awards Boeing $2.3B contract for 15 more...

    WASHINGTON — The Air Force has awarded Boeing a $2.3 billion contract for 15 more KC-46A...