David's Sling

David's Sling

Type: Long-Range Air Defense System

Domain: land

Country of Origin: Israel

Manufacturer: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems / Raytheon Technologies

Overview

Israeli-American medium-to-long-range air and missile defense system acquired by Finland to provide strategic-level protection against aircraft, cruise missiles, and tactical ballistic missiles. David's Sling (Stunner in Israeli service) bridges the gap between short-range Iron Dome and exoatmospheric Arrow systems, optimized for medium-range threats at 40-300 km range and altitudes up to 15 km. Features the Stunner interceptor missile using two-stage solid-fuel rocket motor with thrust-vectoring control, dual-mode seeker combining active radar and electro-optical/infrared guidance for extreme accuracy, hit-to-kill interception destroying targets through kinetic energy, capability against aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, UAVs, tactical ballistic missiles, and large-calibre rockets, and networked architecture integrating multiple radar systems. Each battery includes ELM-2084 S-band multi-mission radar, battle management center, and multiple launchers. Finland's procurement represents the first export of David's Sling — a strategic decision following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Finland's assessment that Russian long-range strike capabilities (Kalibr, Iskander) pose existential threats. Contract signed 2024 with deliveries beginning mid-2020s. Provides Finland with NATO-interoperable strategic air defense.

Technical Specifications

RadarELM-2084 MMR (multi-mission radar)
Altitude15,000+ m
GuidanceActive dual seeker (RF + IIR)
InterceptorStunner / SkyCeptor
Reaction time<30 seconds
Range (Stunner)40+ km
Missiles per launcher12 Stunner (2-stage) or 16 SkyCeptor

Operators

Related land Weapon Systems