US and Israel are to jointly test Nautilus anti-rocket system on Saturday as a means to defend the Jewish state against Katyusha rockets fired by Hezbollah from Lebanon.
The test to be conducted by Israel's Ministry of Defence and the US Army at the White Sands missile range, New Mexico, aims at dynamically following a rocket in flight. If successful, the Nautilus laser gun will attempt to intercept the rocket.
The Nautilus programme was launched in 1995 and the US company Northrop Grumman is the chief contractor with a host of Israeli companies acting as subcontractors, business daily 'Globes' has reported.
In an earlier test on its target acquisition and monitoring capabilities, Nautilus shot down a Katyusha rocket in February 1996 prompting former US President Bill Clinton and then Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres to decide to develop the Pillar of Fire mobile laser gun.
Interceptions tests of the system began in June 2000 and in September that year it intercepted two Katyushas, leading to its further utilisation. Subsequently, it is said to have shot down 28 Katyushas and five 152-mm artillery shells.
The need for the Nautilus is being increasingly felt with Hezbollah reportedly procuring 10,000 rockets with ranges of up to 70 km, capable of reaching all of northern Israel, including Haifa Bay.
The Palestinians have also fired rockets and mortars against Israel during the ongoing conflict.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/649997.cms
The test to be conducted by Israel's Ministry of Defence and the US Army at the White Sands missile range, New Mexico, aims at dynamically following a rocket in flight. If successful, the Nautilus laser gun will attempt to intercept the rocket.
The Nautilus programme was launched in 1995 and the US company Northrop Grumman is the chief contractor with a host of Israeli companies acting as subcontractors, business daily 'Globes' has reported.
In an earlier test on its target acquisition and monitoring capabilities, Nautilus shot down a Katyusha rocket in February 1996 prompting former US President Bill Clinton and then Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres to decide to develop the Pillar of Fire mobile laser gun.
Interceptions tests of the system began in June 2000 and in September that year it intercepted two Katyushas, leading to its further utilisation. Subsequently, it is said to have shot down 28 Katyushas and five 152-mm artillery shells.
The need for the Nautilus is being increasingly felt with Hezbollah reportedly procuring 10,000 rockets with ranges of up to 70 km, capable of reaching all of northern Israel, including Haifa Bay.
The Palestinians have also fired rockets and mortars against Israel during the ongoing conflict.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/649997.cms