BARAK ER missile defense system completes series of successful trials
The system handles a range of threats, including fighters, ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, UAVs and helicopters.
By UDI SHAHAMBARAK ER Launching in Trial.(photo credit: IAI)Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) said on Monday that it has completed a successful series of trials of the Barak Air and Missile Defense System, unveiling documentation of the challenging trials, in which it tested the system’s capabilities in a range of scenarios and threats, including the interception of an assaulting ballistic target by the Barak ER (Extended Range) interceptor.The Barak ER Air Defense System developed by IAI combines the capability to intercept airborne threats at an extended range of 150 kilometers as well as ballistic targets. The ER interceptor is part of the Barak Air Defense System family, capable of various ranges. The extended range capability is made possible in part by adjusting the interceptor and MMR radar capabilities to a 150 km. range, and can be fitted for both naval and land platforms, the company said in a statement.The Barak ER interceptor tested in the trial series was taken directly from the company’s production line. It revolutionizes air defense with unprecedented flexibility, both in real-time, full net-centric combat management as well as with smart launchers. The launchers are capable of independently launching and managing any mix of interceptors without a dedicated command post on site. The sophisticated battle management system optimizes the interceptors to match threats in real-time.Thanks to these features, an operator can create unique responses to a mix of interceptors across different threats, as well as phase their procurement gradually according to budget constraints.Boaz Levy, IAI president and CEO, said that “the Barak Air Defense System is a modern yet mature, operationally proven system that maximizes the capabilities required to meet threats today, in particular, against ballistic targets."The system has both naval and land versions. Both versions share building blocks, relying on the air defense know-how developed at IAI over the past decades. IAI produces all of the system’s elements in-house, including radars, launchers, missiles, and the command and control center. Only select companies in the world possess such comprehensive capabilities,” he said."The extensive firing trials to which the system was subjected under difficult land and sea conditions are the best proof of the system’s capabilities," Levy said. "The modular approach, and the smart launchers, fit customer demand for utmost flexibility on the battlefield and in procurement given budget constraints. As such, Barak provides an optimal solution for the present and future battlefield.”IAI’s Barak is considered to be one of the world’s most advanced defense systems.The company said that it is used by several armies worldwide, including the Israeli Navy, India’s air force, army and navy, and additional customers.Barak provides wide-area protection against a range of air, sea, and ground threats, including ballistic, ground-to-ground and cruise missiles, UAVs, and helicopters. Barak consists of several systems representing the forefront of technology, including interceptors for a variety of ranges and advanced homing seekers, digital MMR radar or MFSTAR radar for naval platforms, command and control system, and unified launchers for different ranges.
These systems are complemented by breakthrough communication and connectivity capabilities, providing the user with optimal force activation, using several batteries or ships for the multidimensional battlefield.
