Medium-Range Missile and Cruise Missile Interception

David's Sling (Magic Wand) is a medium-to-long range air defense system developed by Rafael and Raytheon, using the Stunner interceptor missile equipped with dual-mode radar and electro-optical seekers. The system is designed to counter tactical ballistic missiles, medium-to-long range rockets, and cruise missiles at ranges from 40 to 300 km, filling the critical gap between Iron Dome's short-range coverage and Arrow's ballistic missile defense.

The system's dual-seeker architecture represents a significant advancement in interceptor technology, providing resilience against electronic countermeasures and enabling engagement of low-observable cruise missiles that single-sensor systems struggle to track. David's Sling saw its first confirmed combat use during the 2024-2025 escalation with Iran and Hezbollah.

Strategically, David's Sling has been upgraded to also engage ballistic missile threats previously reserved for the Arrow system, creating redundancy in Israel's defense architecture. Finland has signed a deal for the system, and it has been evaluated by multiple NATO nations seeking layered defense against Russian cruise missile threats. The system's versatility in addressing multiple threat types makes it a cornerstone of modern integrated air and missile defense.