US to fully fund Arrow 3 system - more of your tax dollars at work

[unhappycamper]

US to fully fund Arrow 3 system
By YAAKOV KATZ
07/25/2010 20:25

Israel and the United States signed an agreement on Sunday under which the Defense Ministry will receive full funding for the development and production of the Arrow 3 ballistic missile defense system.

The agreement was signed in Tel Aviv by head of the ministry’s MAFAT Research and Development Directorate, Brig.-Gen. Ofir Shoham, and the head of the US Missile Defense Agency, Lt.-Gen. Patrick O’Reilly.

In May 2009, the Obama administration said it would continue to support the Arrow project, as it had done since its inception over 20 years ago. However, Israel was concerned that the US would end the funding due to major cuts made to the US defense budget by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. Development costs for the system are expected to reach some $100 million. The Arrow 3 will likely become operational in 2012-2013.

The Arrow 3 will be a longer-range version of the Arrow system currently in IDF operation, and will be capable of intercepting incoming missiles at higher altitudes and longer ranges. Israel and the US are also developing David’s Sling, a missile-based defense system for projectiles with a range of 70-250 kilometers.

Meanwhile, Defense Minister Ehud Barak left for Washington on Sunday for meetings with top administration officials. Defense sources said the talks were the continuation of Israel’s ongoing strategic dialogue with the US and would focus on Iran, Hizbullah and the Palestinian peace process.

[hack89]

1. Good. nt

[ChairmanAgnostic]

2. Bad.

enough is enough.

[DrDan]

3. a 20-year weapon development project - sounds pretty effective to me

[unhappycamper]

5. Shit, 20 years is nothing.

The $100 million dollar MV-22 Osprey has been in 'development' since 1981.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MV-22

[AndyA]

4. We can always find money to fund war, death, and destruction.

But for things that might actually *HELP* people, not so much. :eyes:

[Obamanaut]

6. I was fearful for a time the US would spend tax dollars on US citizens. This relieves that fear. nt