IAI will continue Laura missile project
This is despite yesterday's failed test and the security breach that led to open broadcast of vital data.
Dror Marom 6 Nov 03 17:47
Sources inform “Globes” that Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) will continue development of its Laura missile. A test launch of the missile failed yesterday.
Last night, Channel 10 revealed that the test, which was photographed by television cameras, was inadvertently broadcast on an international satellite network and received throughout the Middle East. The broadcast could be picked up by a simple satellite dish through a radius stretching from Iran to Libya. IAI's Malam plant is developing the missile.
The test was halted after 90 seconds, during which the missile flew until it went out of control and fell into the sea. The test was originally scheduled to last much longer. Similar breakdowns occurred during tests of the Arrow anti-ballistic missile missile, also developed by Malam.
The seriousness of the broadcast incident mainly lies in its exposure of precise details about the Laura missile and its capabilities, including the missile's dimensions, speed, range, and more. Testing methods and locations were also revealed. The test managers were also photographed and broadcast live as they discussed classified information, including access codes to computers at several defense contractors.
IAI managers today claimed that the test was not classified, but admitted that mistakes had occurred, including in the encryption of the broadcast, communications, and transcript, as well as in the missile test itself. IAI stated that the breakdown was "only in part of the broadcast lines", but admitted, "the test as a whole did not achieve its goals."
IAI and the Ministry of Defense are reportedly investigating a possible breach in the test's transmission lines and channels, and whether the breach was caused by human error or a technical fault.
Yehiel Horev is responsible for security in the defense establishment. He is investigating the breach and will have to give answers and conclusions. The defense establishment has not ruled out that possibility that someone will be found personally responsible for the serious breach.
The Ministry of Defense stated today, "The test was conducted as part of a marketing presentation, and was therefore unclassified, as were all the test documents. The fact that there was a satellite communications channel was a mistake that is under investigation. Classified tests do not use a satellite channel, but fully encrypted ones. Appropriate conclusions will be drawn."
Published by Globes [online] -
גלובס זירת העסקים של ישראל - on November 6, 2003