Developing the technology to intercept missiles at close range
using laser beams could bee the next "Arrow" project for Israel's
security industries, if senior officials in the US Defense Office decide
to continue developing the project. This is "quite likely" following
the successful second test of the technology conducted Friday in the US,
both Congressional staff members and other sources told Globes.
Rafael (Israel Armament Development Authority), Tadiran and Mabat
(Israel Aircraft Industries' missile factory), who participated in
developing the technology, along with the US firm TRW, are expected to
receive a large portion of the continued development work, accompanied
by tens, if not thousands, of millions of dollars of financing from the
US Office of Defense, if the project is continued.
The laser technology development project, "Nautilus", is run
both financially and organizationally by the Strategic Defense
Initiative, better known as "Star Wars". Most of the program's contents
have been removed since the collapse of the Soviet Union and the signing
of inter-block agreements limiting strategic weapons.
Sources stated that this sort of system be combat-ready within seven
years, with an investment of "no less than $100 million and no more than
$1 billion". A large portion of these sums will be invested in
research, development and production processes in Israel.