Viral Video: A video that appeared to depict an Israeli exoatmospheric intercept went popular on social media as the confrontation between Iran and Israel intensified. The fact that the Iranian-fired missile was neutralised outside of Earth’s atmosphere suggests that Israel used an exoatmospheric death vehicle.
Iran’s First Direct Attack on Israel
In retaliation for the April 1 attack on an Iranian diplomatic compound in the Syrian capital of Damascus, Iran unleashed hundreds of drones and ballistic missiles towards Israel, marking the first-ever direct attack on the Jewish state.
In addition to pledging to gather partners to create a cohesive response to Tehran, President Joe Biden stated on Saturday that US forces assisted Israel in shooting down “nearly all” of the drones and missiles coming from Iran.
US Military Deployment to Defend Israel
“At my direction, to support the defence of Israel, the US military moved aircraft and ballistic missile defence destroyers to the region over the course of the past week,” Biden said in a statement. Israel has been preparing a multi-layered air defence system for days in anticipation of the Iranian attack. A number of air defence systems were activated, including David’s Sling, The Arrow, and Iron Dome.
Advanced Defence Technology
Arrow, which was developed in collaboration with the US, is intended to intercept long-range missiles, such as the ballistic missiles that Iran claims to have launched on Saturday. Throughout the present conflict, the Arrow—which functions outside of the atmosphere—has been utilised to thwart long-range missiles fired into Yemen by Houthi terrorists.
Implications for Israel and the United States
Although official confirmation is still pending, the Israeli Defence Forces and the United States, who have been closely collaborating on the system’s development, would benefit greatly if it turns out to be an exoatmospheric intercept. It also signifies a major technological and advancement leap for Iran, whose space and defence programmes have long been kept secret.
Exoatmospheric Interception
To put it simply, exoatmosphere refers to circumstances or occurrences that take place outside of Earth’s atmosphere. It’s frequently used in relation to satellites, space missions, or military systems that function outside of the atmosphere.
Anti-ballistic missiles (ABMs), another name for exoatmospheric missiles, are made to intercept and destroy incoming ballistic missiles in the middle or end of their trajectory. Unlike missiles that function within the atmosphere, they operate outside of it, which poses different obstacles.
Advanced Sensor Technology
To identify and monitor approaching threats, these missiles frequently use sophisticated sensors like radar and infrared systems. In order to precisely navigate and intercept objects travelling at great speeds in space, they also employ highly developed guiding systems.
Exoatmospheric missiles come in a variety of forms, such as directed energy weapons that employ lasers or other energy beams to incapacitate or eliminate intruding threats, and kinetic kill vehicles that physically destroy their targets.
