U.S. conducts first live fire intercept test of Aegis Ashore

The success was a boost for "Arrow 3", among Israeli missile defense systems that get extensive US funding.

Israel has successfully tested its Arrow 3 ballistic missile shield, partly funded by the USA and meant to deter long-range weapons held by the likes of Iran and Hezbollah, the Defense Ministry reported.

Arrow 3 interceptors are created to fly beyond the earth's atmosphere, where their warheads detach to become so-called "kill vehicles" that track, follow and hit fast-moving targets.

Partly financed by the United States, the Arrow system was developed and produced by Israeli Aerospace Industries in partnership with Boeing.

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This file picture released by the official website of the Iranian Defense Ministry on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015, claims to show the launching of an Emad long-range ballistic surface-to-surface missile in an undisclosed location.

"The primary objective of the test, designated Flight Test Operational-02 Event 1a, was to assess the operational effectiveness of the Aegis Ashore capability as part of a larger BMDS architecture", the US MDA statement said.

The test comes a year after a previous test failed because the interceptor was unable to lock onto its target and was therefore not launched.

Interception tests of Arrow 3 are expected in the near future, in the hope that the tests will succeed and Arrow 3 will provide the final element in Israel's aerial defense system.

The Arrow is a more far-reaching missile that could fend off attacks from Iran, for example. "This test speaks to the flexibility of the Aegis concept, where we can network together the proven capabilities of Aegis with other missile defense systems to create a total ballistic missile defense shield".

The Block 4.5 AWS tested Thursday includes the Super Green Pine radar by IAI's Elta Systems, the Citron Tree Battle Management Center and the Hazlenut Tree Launcher Control Center by Elbit Systems.