Raytheon Inc. (NYSE;RTN) has stolen Rafael Armament Development Authority Ltd.’s thunder at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) 2007 annual meeting today. Raytheon unveiled the “David’s Sling” anti-missile system, designed to intercept missiles at ranges of 40-250 kilometers, which it is jointly developing with Rafael.
The program was launched following last summer’s Second Lebanon War when the Ministry of Defense selected the system over a system proposed by Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IAI). The system is designed to protect Israeli communities from medium range missiles like the ones used by Hizbullah during the war.
Although Rafael is a full partner in the program, Raytheon unveiled the David’s Sling system unilaterally at its own pavilion at AUSA, alongside dozens of other products. Only a brochure, which included a simulated picture of David’s Sling in action, mentions the new system, which is called “Stunnet” in the US and “Magic Wand” in the IDF.
A Rafael spokesman told “Globes” that the company could not disclose further information about David’s Sling. However, a company sources expressed astonishment at the modest unveiling, saying that it was a “half-pregnant exposure”. Sources predict that David’s Sling will become operational in five to six years.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on October 9, 2007
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2007