David's Sling

Israel's mid-tier mobile air and missile defense system, designed to intercept short-range ballistic missiles, large rockets, cruise missiles, and aircraft, forming the central layer between Iron Dome and the Arrow family.

Overview

David's Sling — formally the David's Sling Weapon System (DSWS) and formerly known as Magic Wand — is a mobile medium-to-long-range air and missile defense system jointly developed by Israel and the United States. It fills the gap between the short-range Iron Dome and the exo-atmospheric Arrow-2/Arrow-3 interceptors, and since 2025 has been used extensively against Iranian ballistic missiles. The system’s Stunner interceptor relies on hit-to-kill physics rather than an explosive warhead, guided by a distinctive dual-seeker “dolphin nose” that combines electro-optical/infrared and active radar sensors. Rafael Advanced Defense Systems is the prime contractor, with Raytheon (RTX) providing about half the components, and the ELM-2084 multi-mission radar is built by IAI Elta.

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