WASHINGTON D.C (VINnews) — Israeli defense firm Rafael Advanced Defense Systems has displayed a full-scale model of its Sky Sonic interceptor, a system under development to counter hypersonic missiles, at the Association of the United States Army exhibition this week.​

The model, shown at the event that opened Monday in Washington, marks a rare public appearance for the project, which Rafael first announced in June 2023 and has kept largely under wraps for more than three years. Roughly 25 Israeli defense companies are participating in the exhibition as they look to expand their presence in the U.S. market.​

Hypersonic missiles travel at speeds of more than five times the speed of sound and can alter course in flight, making them harder for conventional air defenses to detect, track and intercept than traditional ballistic missiles. According to Rafael, Sky Sonic is designed to match speeds of Mach 5 to 10 and intercept hypersonic atmospheric cruise missiles, ballistic missiles and glide vehicles, using real-time sensor data to track unpredictable trajectories.​

Rafael Chairman Yuval Steinitz said in 2023 that work on the interceptor had begun earlier in the decade and drew on the company’s existing technology. He described the project as being in advanced development and said initial flight tests were expected soon. The company has released little further information since then and has not disclosed whether flight tests have occurred or when the system might become operational.​

The program was unveiled amid growing international attention to hypersonic weapons, following Russia’s use of such missiles against Ukraine and claims by Iran of advances in the technology. Rafael has positioned Sky Sonic as part of efforts to address these emerging threats. The company is also displaying interceptors associated with its Iron Dome and David’s Sling systems, along with a high-power laser system, at the exhibition.​

Technical details of Sky Sonic remain classified. The full-scale model offers the clearest public view yet of the interceptor more than three years after its initial announcement.