David’s Sling Air Defense System

Full Specifications

Davids Sling air defense system sits at the center of Israels layered missile defense network. Built to close the gap between Iron Dome and Arrow, the system is designed to defeat advanced aerial threats that fly faster, higher, and farther than short range rockets. It focuses on cruise missiles, tactical ballistic missiles, armed UAVs, and enemy aircraft, making it a key tool for modern air and missile defense planning.

Manufacturer

Davids Sling is jointly developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems of Israel and Raytheon Technologies of the United States. The program reflects deep US Israeli defense cooperation, with key components produced in both countries to support allied supply chains and interoperability.

Speed and Range

The system uses the Stunner interceptor missile, sometimes referred to as SkyCeptor in its US aligned configuration. The interceptor is designed for high speed endgame maneuvers and long range engagements. Open source estimates place its engagement range between 40 and 300 km, with interception at high altitudes against maneuvering targets. Its multi mode seeker combines radar and electro optical guidance to improve accuracy against complex threats.

Davids Sling Air Defense System Price

Davids Sling air defense system price is estimated at around USD 100 million per battery, depending on configuration, radar set, and missile loadout. Individual interceptor missiles are estimated to cost under USD 1 million, significantly cheaper than long range strategic interceptors.

Operational Role

The system is fully operational with the Israeli Air Force and has been used in real world interceptions. It is designed for networked operations, sharing data with other air defense layers and allied command systems.