David's Sling
Israel's medium-range air and missile defense system, filling the gap between Iron Dome and Arrow. Developed by Rafael and Raytheon. Uses the Stunner hit-to-kill interceptor. Operational since 2017.
David's Sling (also known as Magic Wand / Sharvit Ksamim) is Israel's medium-range air and missile defense system — designed to intercept cruise missiles, large-caliber rockets, short-range ballistic missiles, and aircraft at ranges of 40–300 kilometers. It fills the operational gap between Iron Dome (short-range) and Arrow (upper-tier ballistic missile defense) in Israel's multi-layered defense architecture.
Development
David's Sling was developed jointly by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems (Israel) and Raytheon (United States), with funding from both the Israeli Ministry of Defense and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency. Development began in 2006, and the system was declared operational by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in April 2017. The project name references the biblical David — an undersized defender defeating a larger threat.
System Architecture
David's Sling uses the Stunner interceptor — a two-stage, dual-pulse missile with an electro-optical/infrared seeker that enables hit-to-kill engagement (kinetic destruction by direct impact, no warhead). The system is managed by the MMR (Multi-Mission Radar), an advanced phased-array radar that provides 360-degree surveillance, tracking, and fire control. The Battle Management Center integrates David's Sling into Israel's broader air defense command network.
Threat Envelope
David's Sling is optimized for threats that are too fast, too high, or too far for Iron Dome but that do not require Arrow's exo-atmospheric capability. Its primary threat set includes the precision-guided missiles and long-range rockets in the arsenals of Hezbollah and Iranian-backed forces — weapons with ranges of 100–300+ kilometers that can target Israeli population centers and critical infrastructure from Lebanon or Syria.
Operational Use and Export
David's Sling saw its first operational use during the 2023–2024 conflict. Finland selected the system for its national air defense in 2024, marking its first international sale and reinforcing Israel's position as a leading exporter of integrated air defense systems. The combination of Iron Dome, David's Sling, and Arrow gives Israel the only operational three-tier missile defense architecture in the world.