Israel carried out another successful test of its Arrow anti-ballistic missile, or ABM, interceptor Sunday. The Arrow is widely regarded as the best high altitude ABM interceptor in the world. The latest test marked the second successful interception and destruction by the Arrow of a target missile configured to perform like an Iranian Shihab-3 intermediate range ballistic missile.

"The trial was carried out at an air force base in central Israel, and it was the first time that such an interception was tested at night." Globes Online reported Monday.

"The trial was carried out under the auspices of the Arrow Systems Improvement Program agreement between Israel and the United States. It was the fifteenth trial of the Arrow interception system, and the tenth trial of its weapons system," Globes said. "The trial was designed to assess the improvements that have been made to the system, which include the expansion of the range of hostile targets that the system can intercept."

The test also reflected the high level of tension between Israel and the United States versus Iran. The United States has sent Israel Patriot anti-ballistic missile batteries that are effective at lower altitude than the Arrow.

Globes noted that the Arrow was jointly developed by Israel and the United States and was jointly managed by the Israeli Ministry of Defense Homa Project Management Authority and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency. The lead contractor on the project is Israel Aerospace Industries subsidiary MLM.

"The systems consists of the Green Pine radar system developed by Elta Systems group, the Citron Tree fire control system, developed by Tadiran Electronic Systems, the Hazelnut Tree Launch Control Center and operational launcher developed by (Israel Aerospace Industries) and MLM, and interceptors, jointly developed by (Israel Aerospace Industries), MLM and Boeing Corp.," Globes said

The report described Sunday's test as "an important step in the development of operational capabilities."

The German Deutsche Presse Agentur news service cited Israeli military sources as saying that the Arrow system had been upgraded and was now capable of destroying ballistic missile targets at greater ranges and heights than was possible before.

Source: United Press International