Profile
- Type
- Missile interceptor
- Conflict side
- Israel
- Origin
- Israel and United States
- Service note
- 2017-present
Air Defense
Stunner interceptor
The Stunner interceptor is the hit-to-kill missile used by David's Sling, Israel's medium-range air-defense layer co-developed by Rafael and Raytheon. During the Israel-Hamas War, the IDF said David's Sling used the system to intercept a surface-to-air missile fired toward an Israeli Air Force UAV operating in Lebanon, underscoring its role in layered air defense against rockets, missiles, and drones.
- Conflict side
- Israel
- Built in
- Israel, United States
Service History
- In service
- Operational with the Israel Defense Forces since 2017 as the David's Sling interceptor.
- Used by
- Israel Defense Forces
- Wars
- Israel-Hamas War
Production History
- Designer
- Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Raytheon
- Designed
- 2000s
- Built in
- Israel, United States
- Unit cost
- Not publicly disclosed
- Produced
- 2010s-present
- Number built
- Not publicly disclosed
- Variants
- SkyCeptor
Specifications
- Role
- Medium- to long-range air and missile defense interceptor
- Guidance
- AESA radar-guided with an advanced seeker and control system
- Propulsion
- Multi-pulse solid rocket propulsion
- Kill mechanism
- Hit-to-kill, no warhead
- Targets
- Tactical ballistic missiles, large-caliber rockets, cruise missiles, and drones
Conflict Usage
- Israel-Hamas War
- Side: IsraelRole: Medium-range air defense interceptor
In the Israel-Hamas War, used by Israel's David's Sling to intercept a surface-to-air missile fired toward an Israeli Air Force UAV operating in Lebanon.
Stunner interceptor Images
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Related Weapon Systems
David's Sling air-defense systemAir and missile defense systemDavid's Sling is Israel's medium- to long-range air and missile defense layer, jointly developed by Rafael and Raytheon. It has been operational since 2017 and was used in the Israel-Hamas War to intercept a Gaza-launched rocket.
Iron Dome air-defense systemMobile short-range air-defense and counter-rocket systemIron Dome is an Israeli mobile air-defense system built to defeat short-range rockets, artillery threats, and some UAVs. In the Israel-Hamas War it has been a core defensive layer protecting Israeli towns and cities from repeated rocket fire launched from Gaza.
Mutabar-1 improvised air-defense systemImprovised short-range air-defense systemThe Mutabar-1 is Hamas's locally manufactured improvised air-defense system, publicly revealed in October 2023 and associated with attempts to engage low-flying Israeli aircraft and drones during the Israel-Hamas War.
Tamir interceptorShort-range surface-to-air interceptor missileThe Tamir interceptor is the missile fired by Iron Dome batteries for short-range air defense. During the Israel-Hamas War, Israeli batteries used it to intercept rockets and other aerial threats launched from Gaza..jpg?width=480)
9K35 Strela-10Tracked short-range surface-to-air missile systemThe 9K35 Strela-10, NATO reporting name SA-13 Gopher, is a Soviet tracked short-range air defense system mounted on an MT-LB chassis. Built to protect maneuver forces from low-flying aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, and UAVs, it remains relevant in Ukraine because both sides use mobile air-defense vehicles against the dense reconnaissance-drone threat.
Counter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar system / C-RAMLand-based close-in weapon systemCounter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar system (C-RAM), also known as the land-based Phalanx Weapon System, is a U.S. fixed-site air-defense suite built around a 20 mm rapid-fire gun, sensors, and fire control to intercept rockets, mortars, and small drones. In the United States-Iran Conflict, U.S. forces used it around Baghdad to defend a diplomatic facility against drone and rocket attacks.Sources
RTX David's Sling System and SkyCeptor MissilePublisher: RTX | Note: Supports manufacturer, background, and system-specification context for David's Sling and the Stunner interceptor. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Rafael David's SlingPublisher: Rafael | Note: Supports manufacturer, background, and system-specification context for DAVID's SLING and its Stunner interceptor. | Accessed: 2026-06-20IDF real-time updatesPublisher: IDF | Note: In the Israel-Hamas War, used by Israel's David's Sling to intercept a surface-to-air missile fired toward an Israeli Air Force UAV operating in Lebanon. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Wikimedia Commons David-Sling-0001Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Public-domain U.S. Missile Defense Agency image page for a David's Sling Stunner launch photo. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Wikimedia Commons Stunner inaugural flight testPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Public-domain U.S. Missile Defense Agency image page for a Stunner intercept test image from the David's Sling program. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Wikimedia Commons Stunner 2015 test seriesPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Public-domain U.S. Missile Defense Agency image page for a David's Sling Stunner test-series photo. | Accessed: 2026-06-20