Israel to launch new missile and aircraft detection balloon

Israel is poised to launch a huge new balloon equipped with an advanced missile and aircraft detection system.

The deployment of the radar-based system, dubbed Sky Dew, is part of an Israeli Air Force response to the proliferation of Iranian drones and cruise missiles.

The detection system is meant to be deployed at high altitudes to detect incoming long-range missiles, cruise missiles and drones, the Defence Ministry said.

Israel already maintains an array of radar systems to detect incoming threats, but the new airship is meant to complement and improve existing capabilities by placing the sensors at high altitude.

Boaz Levy, CEO of the Israel Aerospace Industries, which helped to develop the system, said the “elevated sensor system” helped early and precise detection of threats. “This technology… increases efficiency against a range of targets,” he said.