The US may be using missile interceptors that can be launched outside the atmosphere

The U.S. Navy may use missile interceptors that can be launched outside the Earth’s atmosphere for the first time in combat while defending Israel from an Iranian attack Saturday night.

Two U.S. warships played a key role and launched hundreds of drones and missiles after Iran launched its first direct attack on Israel. some reports Claims to own destroyer May have launched a Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) anti-missile interceptor Deal with real incoming threats for the first time.

In 2008, SM-3 was also used to destroy an out-of-control US spy satellite.

U.S. officials said its ships and military aircraft intercepted more than 70 drones and three ballistic missiles, but did not specify what specific forms of defense were used. pentagon official The Navy shot down at least three ballistic missiles using the Aegis missile defense system aboard two guided-missile destroyers in the eastern Mediterranean, the Navy told CNN.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed that their air defense systems captured 99% of the more than 300 missiles and drones fired at Israel. This included intercepting 170 drones and 30 cruise missiles, while some of the approximately 120 ballistic missiles that entered Israel penetrated the country’s territory, the report said.

At least nine Iranian ballistic missiles have successfully penetrated U.S. and Israeli air defense systems. Five ballistic missiles struck the Nevatim air base in southern Israel, damaging a C-130 transport plane, a runway and empty storage facilities, reports said. Satellite images showed some buildings at the base may have been damaged by an Iranian attack, while four ballistic missiles hit another air base, but no major damage was reported.

Justin Crump, a former British Army officer who runs risk intelligence company Sibylline, said I Most of the missiles and drones are intercepted by Israeli defense systems, including the Arrow 3 “Missile Killer” system, which is capable of attacking threats outside the Earth’s atmosphere and is designed to shoot down ballistic missiles.

“Drones are easy to shoot down, cruise missiles are harder to intercept and ballistic weapons are the hardest to intercept,” he said.

“But Iran isn’t using their most advanced systems. That could be because they don’t really work, or to indicate they just want to send a message – in which case it makes sense to use the oldest missiles you have ”

US land-based air defense systems and US F-15 fighter jets, supported by RAF’s 494th Fighter Squadron at RAF Lakenheath, also shot down Iranian drones and cruise missiles.

Mr Crump said: “The RAF may have used fighter jets from their operations over Iraq and Syria when fighting ISIS. British aircraft were there to support US aircraft more, providing cover for them so the US could send in More aircraft, allowing them to put more fighters in the air and provide a second line of defense.

“So they are not specifically designed to shoot down missiles, but they are instructed: ‘If you see a drone, shoot one down’.

“U.S. aircraft are designed to shoot down cruise missiles and drones, while U.S. warships are designed to shoot down cruise missiles and drones. CareyThe air defense system would have been able to shoot down ballistic missiles that are much harder to shoot down. “

Other systems used were David’s Sling and Iron Dome, while fighter jets were also heavily involved in intercepting incoming cruise missiles and drones.

Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi later warned Israel against “reckless” retaliation, warning that Israel would respond “decisively and more forcefully”, but Iranian officials also said the conflict was now “over”.

Crump said Iran knew its strikes would be intercepted and “their diplomatic warnings to Israel made that easier, but they still wanted the strikes to do more, so for them, that’s a bad thing.” the result of”.

“In a way it’s a double loss for Iran, they didn’t achieve much, but it shows that their threat can be mitigated,” he added.

A young girl has reportedly suffered life-threatening injuries from an intercepted Iranian missile. Dozens of other Israelis were reportedly treated for minor injuries or stress and anxiety-related issues.

Israel’s war cabinet said it would respond, and IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said Israel “remains on high alert and is assessing the situation.”

Hundreds of missiles aimed at Israel were reportedly launched from locations in Iran, Iraq and Yemen. It was unclear whether Iranian personnel in Iraq and Yemen or Iranian-backed proxy forces were responsible for the launches outside Iran.

Earlier, the United States once again tried to promote a stalled $14 billion financing plan for Israel, but emphasized that it would not take any retaliatory actions in response to Iran’s air strikes the day before.

Experts say the U.S. is also likely to put more pressure on Iran’s nuclear program, while the U.S. could carry out more strikes against Iran’s proxies in Syria, Iraq and Yemen. British Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron also said that the government will impose more sanctions on Iran.

Dr. Hamidreza Aziz, an expert on Iranian foreign policy at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, said I The purpose of the attack was to “send a message to Israel.”

“Iran doesn’t have a lot of fighter jets from a technical perspective and military capabilities, but they are sending a signal that they have the capability, if they want to, to hit Israel.

“If Israel attacks Iran, given its vast territory, Iran’s air defense capabilities are limited and more concentrated in strategic areas near their nuclear facilities, namely military factories. In terms of their nuclear arsenal, can they effectively compete with The Israeli contacts are highly questionable.”