Municiones

Interceptor Arrow 3

Also known as
  • Arrow-3
  • Hetz 3
  • Hetz-3
  • Arrow III

Arrow 3 es el interceptor exoatmosférico de impacto directo dentro del Arrow Weapon System de Israel, desarrollado con apoyo estadounidense para la defensa contra misiles balísticos de largo alcance. Pasó del despliegue operacional en 2017 a un uso en combate documentado contra amenazas de misiles balísticos del Mar Rojo, iraníes y del conflicto Israel-Irán, mientras que la compra alemana también lo convirtió en un sistema europeo de defensa territorial y en una capa de defensa aérea israelí.

Interceptor Arrow 3, Interceptor exoatmosférico de misiles balísticos, Municiones
Image source: Wikimedia Commons IAF Arrow 3 sq1666

Role in Conflicts

Operational Layer

Arrow 3 es el interceptor exoatmosférico de largo alcance dentro del sistema más amplio sistema de defensa aérea Arrow. Alemania opera la configuración de exportación como AWS-G, una arquitectura conectada formada por un centro de control, radares Green Pine Block C, lanzadores y misiles Arrow 3.

Debut en combate

Fuerzas israelíes usaron Arrow 3 operacionalmente por primera vez el 9 de noviembre de 2023 contra un lanzamiento desde la región del Mar Rojo hacia Israel.

Funciones industriales

El Ministerio de Defensa de Israel identifica a IAI como contratista principal, a Elbit como desarrollador de mando y control, y a Tomer y Rafael como subcontratistas del interceptor Arrow 3.

Contexto de exportación

La primera entrega operacional alemana de Arrow 3 en 2025 incorporó el interceptor a la planificación europea de defensa antimisiles de largo alcance.

Profile / Specs

Specifications

Función
Interceptor exoatmosférico de misiles balísticos de capa superior
Etapas
Interceptor de dos etapas con propulsor inicial y sustentador
Mecanismo de destrucción
Ojiva de impacto directo
Sensor
Sensor electroóptico de largo alcance y alta resolución
Propulsión
Dos etapas de propulsión sólida
Enganche
Amplia envolvente cinemática para el enganche de amenazas de largo alcance
Altitud de interceptación
Exoatmosférica; material de servicio alemán describe interceptaciones por encima de 100 km
Capa del sistema
Capa superior del arreglo israelí multicapa de defensa aérea y antimisiles
Transferencia operacional
Transferido al Arreglo de Defensa Aérea de la Fuerza Aérea Israelí el 18 de enero de 2017
Nombre de servicio alemán
Arrow Weapon System for Germany (AWS-G)
Arquitectura alemana AWS-G
La Bundeswehr describe AWS-G como un sistema conectado con un centro de control, radares Green Pine Block C, lanzadores e interceptores Arrow 3
Concepto de despliegue alemán
Se planifican posiciones distribuidas de AWS-G en el norte, este y sur de Alemania para defensa territorial antimisiles
Variants

Arrow 3 es el miembro exoatmosférico de la familia de interceptores Arrow, emparejado con Arrow 2 dentro del Arrow Weapon System más amplio.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
Arrow 2 interceptor, Upper-atmosphere ballistic missile interceptor, MunitionsArrow 2 interceptorInterceptor anterior de atmósfera superior

El ministerio de defensa de Israel describe Arrow 2 y Arrow 3 como interceptores complementarios de capa superior, con Arrow 3 añadiendo enganche exoatmosférico a mayor altitud.

Sources: Israel MOD DDR&D Arrow Program

Sistema de lanzamiento
LauncherLauncher typeLaunch evidence
Arrow air-defense system, Anti-ballistic missile defense system, Air DefenseArrow air-defense systemSistema de defensa aérea y antimisiles de capa superior

Arrow 3 se lanza como parte del Arrow Weapon System; el material alemán de AWS-G describe el sistema desplegado como un centro de control, radares Green Pine Block C, lanzadores y misiles Arrow 3.

Sources: Arrow 3 - Precise Long-Range Interceptor, Arrow 3 (Israel) | Missile Threat, Bundeswehr Arrow Kaufbeuren Site

Timeline

Interceptor Arrow 3 Key Events

  1. Arrow 3 transferido al servicio operacional

    El ministerio de defensa de Israel afirma que IMDO transfirió el Arrow 3 operacional al Arreglo de Defensa Aérea de la Fuerza Aérea Israelí el 18 de enero de 2017.

    Sources: Israel MOD DDR&D Arrow Program

  2. Campaña de pruebas en Alaska demuestra interceptaciones exoatmosféricas

    IMDO y la U.S. Missile Defense Agency completaron pruebas de Arrow 3 en Alaska que demostraron interceptaciones de impacto directo contra blancos exoatmosféricos de gran altitud.

    Sources: IAI Arrow 3 Alaska Test Campaign

  3. Primera interceptación operacional de Arrow 3

    Soldados israelíes de defensa aérea lanzaron Arrow 3 operacionalmente contra un blanco disparado hacia Israel desde la región del Mar Rojo.

    Sources: MOD-IDF Arrow 3 Operational Interception, FDD Arrow 3 Red Sea Intercept

  4. Arrow 3 usado durante el ataque directo de Irán contra Israel

    La cobertura del ataque iraní con misiles y drones de abril de 2024 identificó a Arrow 2 y Arrow 3 como los principales sistemas israelíes usados contra misiles balísticos.

    Sources: Guardian Iran Attack Air Defense

  5. Video de fuentes abiertas documenta lanzamientos de junio de 2025

    El análisis de FPRI sobre los combates Israel-Irán de junio de 2025 identificó al menos 34 lanzamientos de interceptores Arrow 3 por baterías israelíes de defensa antimisiles.

    Sources: FPRI Shallow Ramparts

  6. Alemania recibe el primer sistema operacional Arrow 3

    Israel entregó el primer sistema operacional Arrow 3 a Alemania bajo el contrato de exportación de finales de 2023.

    Sources: Breaking Defense Germany Arrow 3 Delivery, Bundeswehr Arrow IOC

  7. Alemania selecciona el emplazamiento sur de sensores AWS-G

    La Bundeswehr anunció el emplazamiento del área de Kaufbeuren para la posición sur de sensores de AWS-G, describiendo el concepto de despliegue norte, este y sur para la defensa antimisiles territorial alemana.

    Sources: Bundeswehr Arrow Kaufbeuren Site

Media

Interceptor Arrow 3 Videos

Interceptor Arrow 3 Images

Interceptor Arrow 3, Interceptor exoatmosférico de misiles balísticos, Municiones - view 1
Source: Wikimedia Commons Arrow 3 missiles 2022-01-18
Interceptor Arrow 3, Interceptor exoatmosférico de misiles balísticos, Municiones - view 2
Source: Wikimedia Commons Arrow-3 Feb-25-2013 (1)
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Sources

Arrow 3 - Precise Long-Range InterceptorPublisher: Israel Aerospace Industries | Note: Supports Arrow 3 manufacturer, background, and specifications, including its Arrow Weapon System role, two-stage hit-to-kill design, electro-optical sensor, and exo-atmospheric threat engagement. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Boeing IAI Arrow 3 Flight TestPublisher: Boeing | Note: Supports Boeing co-development and co-production of Arrow 3, IAI-MLM prime contractor responsibilities, and the interceptor's outside-the-atmosphere engagement role. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Israel MOD DDR&D Arrow ProgramPublisher: Israel Ministry of Defense | Note: Supports Arrow 3 system architecture, operational transfer to the Israeli Air Force Aerial Defense Array, exo-atmospheric engagement role, IAI prime-contractor role, and U.S.-Israeli development context. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Arrow 3 (Israel) | Missile ThreatPublisher: Center for Strategic and International Studies | Note: Supports Arrow 3 background and specs, including its Arrow Weapon System integration and launcher-linked employment context. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Israel MOD and IAI Sign Major Deal to Expand Procurement of Arrow-3 InterceptorsPublisher: Israel Ministry of Defense | Note: Supports Arrow 3 background and 2024 Iran-Israel Exchange conflict use: Israel MOD said the Arrow system, including Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 interceptors, successfully intercepted numerous threats during Iranian missile attacks on 14 April 2024. | Accessed: 2026-07-04IMOD Arrow 3 Germany HandoverPublisher: Israel Ministry of Defense | Note: Supports German Arrow 3 handover context and industrial roles, including IAI as prime contractor, U.S. Missile Defense Agency development context, Elbit command-and-control work, and Rafael as an Arrow 3 interceptor subcontractor. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Bundeswehr Arrow Kaufbeuren SitePublisher: Bundeswehr | Note: Supports AWS-G architecture and German deployment context, including the planned Kaufbeuren-area southern sensor position, North/East/South distributed deployment, Green Pine Block C radars, launchers, and Arrow 3 interceptors. | Accessed: 2026-07-04IAI Arrow 3 Alaska Test CampaignPublisher: Israel Aerospace Industries | Note: Supports the 2019 IMDO/MDA Alaska test campaign, high-altitude exo-atmospheric hit-to-kill interceptions, AN/TPY-2 interoperability, and IAI-led test context. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Arrow 3 Canisters Production Moved to the USPublisher: Israel Aerospace Industries | Note: Supports IAI prime-contractor context and Arrow 3 interceptor production and system-integration responsibilities. | Accessed: 2026-07-02MOD-IDF Arrow 3 Operational InterceptionPublisher: Israel Ministry of Defense | Note: Supports 2023 Red Sea Crisis conflict use: Israeli Air Defense Array soldiers launched an Arrow 3 interceptor operationally on 9 November 2023 against a target launched toward Israel from the Red Sea region. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Bundeswehr Arrow IOCPublisher: Bundeswehr | Note: Supports German AWS-G initial operational capability on 3 December 2025, the German service name, above-100-km exo-atmospheric engagement, and Patriot/IRIS-T SLM upper-layer context. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Bundeswehr Arrow ExplainerPublisher: Bundeswehr | Note: Supports AWS-G capability context, hit-to-kill description, exo-atmospheric engagement above 100 km, and German/European territorial missile-defense role. | Accessed: 2026-07-02FDD Arrow 3 Red Sea InterceptPublisher: Foundation for Defense of Democracies | Note: Supports 2023 Red Sea Crisis conflict use: a Houthi missile fired toward Eilat on 9 November 2023 was intercepted over the Red Sea by Israel's Arrow 3 system. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Guardian Iran Attack Air DefensePublisher: The Guardian | Note: Supports 2024 Iran-Israel Exchange conflict use: Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 were identified as the main Israeli systems used against ballistic missiles during Iran's April 2024 attack. | Accessed: 2026-07-02FPRI Shallow RampartsPublisher: Foreign Policy Research Institute | Note: Supports 2025 Israel-Iran Conflict conflict use: video analysis documented at least 34 Arrow 3 launches by Israeli missile-defense batteries during the June 2025 fighting. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Breaking Defense Germany Arrow 3 DeliveryPublisher: Breaking Defense | Note: Supports Germany export and operator context, the late-2023 Arrow 3 contract, first operational delivery in 2025, and manufacturer/subcontractor context for IAI, Elbit, Tomer, Rafael, and Boeing. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Wikimedia Commons IAF Arrow 3 sq1666Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and CC BY-SA 4.0 licensing for the main Arrow 3 image. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Wikimedia Commons Arrow 3 missiles 2022-01-18Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and release context for the 2022 Arrow 3 test image. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Wikimedia Commons Arrow-3 Feb-25-2013 (1)Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and public-domain status for the 2013 Arrow 3 flight-test image. | Accessed: 2026-07-02