US sources say that Israel has rejected an initiative by Northrop Grumman Corp. (NYSE: NOC), one of the world’s largest weapons and missile makers, to jointly develop a defense system against Palestinian Kassam rockets.
Northrop Grumman Space Technology recently proposed to Israel to resume development of an improved version of the Skyguard tactical high energy laser (THEL) (previously known as Nautilus). The system integrates a radar system for locating incoming Katyusha and other rockets shortly after launch, and uses a high-powered chemical laser to intercept and destroy them.
Rafael Armament Development Authority Ltd. and TRW, began developing the THEL in the late 1990s. The system intercepted a Katyusha in a test in the US in 2000. A US officer said at the time, “We were able to turn science fiction into reality.”
However, the US Army was dissatisfied with the system because of its complexity and difficulties in development. Rafael also decided to withdraw from the project. In the meantime, Northrop Grumman acquired TRW and its laser interceptor project. It developed the mobile THEL (MTHEL), which was cheaper than the original version. The company says that MTHEL can destroy Katyushas and artillery shells and rockets at “the speed of light”.
With the escalation of the Kassam crisis, a delegation from Northrop Grumman visited Israel, and met senior officials from Rafael and the Ministry of Defense Armaments R&D Administration, including Ministry of Defense director general Jacob Toren, in an effort to persuade them to resume joint development of the MTHEL. However, all the relevant Israeli officials decided against the proposal because of its high development cost of $180-200 million and the long development period of at least five years.
“Who has the time and money for a project like this?” said an expert in the field. “Even if you place such a system in Sderot, its ultimate effectiveness will be limited. Even if you shoot down some Kassams, others will get through.”
In addition, the chemical laser produces toxic gases, and no effective method for handling them has been yet been found. All assessments agree that there is not yet any solution to the problem of short-range missiles. Israel has no response to the Kassams fired from Gaza, just as it has no response to Hizbullah’s rocket arsenal in southern Lebanon, which has created a balance of terror between the organization and Israel.
However, Northrop Grumman believes otherwise. “Defense News” quotes a Northrop Grumman VP as saying, “The Skyguard can defend Sderot.” He admitted that the MTHEL had not yet been tried against Kassams, but said there were over 40 interceptions in simulations and other data collated by the US Army, which justified his confidence that the system could successfully deal with the Kassams.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on June 25, 2006
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