Directorate of Defense Research & Development (DDR&D)

The DDR&D is a joint IMOD-IDF body operated by civilians and military personnel. The Minister of Defense appoints its director in coordination with the Chief of the General Staff and the IMOD Director General. The director reports to the Director General on issues related to the IMOD's responsibilities and to the IDF Chief of Staff on matters related to the military. This integration and cooperation produce exceptional results in defense research and development.

·      Develop innovative concepts for defense technology.

·      Manage the ministry's short and long-term development projects.

·      Serve as a professional, technical body for researching and developing military and defensive technology.

·      Cooperate with international partners in the field of R&D.

·      Train the defense establishment's next generation of outstanding personnel and tech professionals.

The division is responsible for developing technological building blocks and advancing and managing research and development efforts.

Israel is a global leader in defense research and development, with capabilities that provide solutions for its national security needs and those of the international community. Innovation enables Israel to strengthen the defense establishment and ensure the IDF's qualitative military edge.

"Since we fail in quantity, we must raise the quality" – Israel's first Prime Minister and Defense Minister, David Ben Gurion, in 1953, regarding establishing the R&D unit in the DDR&D.

The Military Research and Development Unit is the beating heart of the DDR&D, initiating and leading technological research and development projects that result in some of the world's most effective weapon systems. The unit is tasked with two main functions. First, to initiate and conduct research, advance development projects, and promote the technology and building blocks for future systems. Secondly, they are responsible for managing the progress of these projects and bringing them to their full operational capabilities (Full-Scale Development).

The IDF's qualitative military edge is primarily based on the systems developed by this unit. Cooperation with academia, research institutes, high-tech companies, defense industries, and the military enables the unit to combine congruent technologies and find solutions to close operational gaps.

The head of R&D is a Brig. Gen., and the unit consists of military and civilian personnel, all researchers and engineers with advanced academic degrees. Their work is divided into several sub-departments:

·      Missile and Rocket: The department is responsible for initiating and developing rocket and missile systems and solutions for operational needs such as maintaining aerial superiority and defense, attacking field targets, land-based combat in enemy territory, naval superiority based on missiles, aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and support systems for the various branches of the IDF. The department develops some of the market's most advanced systems, including the Iron Dome missile defense system, advanced air-to-air missiles, anti-tank missiles, and ground-to-air missiles.  

·      Armament Systems: The department is responsible for meeting the armament needs of the IDF (particularly those of the Ground Forces) and defense establishment by developing technology such as unmanned vehicles, weapons and ammunition, non-lethal weapons, future combat vehicles, and more. Products from this department include the Trophy, among the world's most effective active protection systems (APS) and the only operational, combat-proven APS defending tanks from artillery and mortar fire.

·      Optronics: This department is responsible for initiating and developing technology components and antennas for electro-optical systems. It is also engaged in the R&D of top-of-the-line systems that can operate on the ground or in the air through accurate optronic tools and develops laser systems, among other things.

·      ICT (Communications, Command & Control): The department is responsible for developing technology in the field of ICT and intelligence with an emphasis on cyber, communication, satellite communication, command and control systems, navigation, visual information processing, and mapping for various branches of the IDF and the defense establishment.

·      Systems: The department is responsible for researching and developing technologies in SIGINT, radar, electronic warfare (EW), and underwater acoustics. It is the workshop for all RF sensors and realizing their abilities in their respective fields. To advance, the department cooperates with several branches of the IDF, defense industries, and academic institutions.

·      Small Units: The department is responsible for preserving the development, production, and delivery of technological building blocks in microelectronics to achieve independence in developing larger systems, radars, communications, and others.

·      Performance Analysis: The department assists in the decision-making process and technology development, particularly during the early stages. It studies new technology and examines how it can best be applied to meet the IDF's operational requirements. Decisions are made using quantitative and scientific evaluation tools, including war games, computer simulations, trials, processing, and analysis. To conduct research in this arena, department members must have in-depth knowledge of the IDF's needs and capabilities and awareness of the characteristics of the modern battlefield.

·      CTO: This department initiates and develops new, breakthrough technology. Its work helps integrate the research and development of the DDR&D and the IDF and contributes to preserving the defense establishment's qualitative edge. The CTO Department also deals with the R&D of dual-use technology and manages the IMOD Innovation Center.

The division is responsible for defense-related technological infrastructure and applied scientific research.

Originality, creativity, and innovative thinking are at the nexus of groundbreaking research and game-changing technology. These are also the values that Israel's defense establishment promotes and the sources of its qualitative edge.

The Research and Technological Infrastructure Division is key in developing the defense establishment's strategic capabilities. It is a scientific research organization operating under the Defense Ministry's DDR&D. The unit's mission is to identify, develop, and promote diverse tech solutions to address Israel's current and future security needs. 

Characterized by its creativity and exceptional manpower, the unit is known as a leader in its field, using rich academic research and having a profound awareness of the defense establishment's immediate and long-term needs. They are responsible for, among other things, building, upgrading, and developing infrastructure and testing facilities for defense establishments.

The division’s key focus areas span multiple cutting-edge scientific and technological domains. These include infrastructure development alongside facilities and simulators, quantum technology research and development, advancements in nano-technology and micro-technology, ICT and autonomous protection systems, physics applications with emphasis on space and energy research, military medicine and ergonomics studies, aerospace engineering innovations, and the development of chemical and energetic materials.

As part of its mission, the unit initiates interdisciplinary activities and research, stimulating the development of new initiatives and encouraging the advancement of collaborative Israeli research. The unit collaborates with other units under the DDR&D and the defense establishment while maintaining constant contact with the highest levels of the international research and development community to invest in Israel's long-term operational capabilities.

The IMDO is responsible for the R&D of active defense systems, such as the Iron Dome, David's Sling, Arrow-2, and Arrow-3 air defense systems. It collaborates with the American Missile Defense Agency (MDA) on joint ventures and the development of defense systems.

Israel’s Missile Defense Organization (IMDO) is a division within the Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D) at the Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD). IMDO is responsible for developing, managing, and improving Israel's active defense systems, including interceptors, launchers, radars, command and control systems, network connectivity, and more. Today, Israel is protected by a multi-layered defense array, which includes the Arrow-2, Arrow-3, David's Sling, and Iron Dome active defense systems. Together, they defend Israel against various airborne threats.

On May 6th, 1985, Israel and the United States signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to develop a missile defense system against long-range threats. A year later, the decision was made to develop an interceptor system adapted to Israel's unique security needs, leading to the launch of the development program for the Arrow weapon system. 

The IMDO was established in 1991 following the First Gulf War, and various departments were responsible for developing, producing, and budgeting multiple programs. Several years following the establishment of the IMDO, on November 29th, 1998, the first Arrow-2 system was transferred to the Israeli Air Force (IAF). In November 2002, the placement of two batteries was completed.

Many of the IMDO's initiatives are carried out in close collaboration with the United States Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and receive joint funding. This significant relationship also translates into cooperation between  Israeli and American defense industries, which serve as key contributors to the development and production processes of the defense array. IMDO continues to improve each of its systems, adapting and advancing its capabilities to a wide range of threats.

Israel’s air defense systems:

·      Iron Dome: Intercepts short-range surface-to-surface rockets (bottom layer). The Iron Dome is an innovative, mobile system that defends the state against short-range rockets. It can successfully handle multiple incoming threats simultaneously. Furthermore, it is the world's first missile defense system developed to tackle the threat of short-range rockets and UAVs. Development of the Iron Dome was launched in 2007, and the system became operational in March 2011. Shortly thereafter, on April 7th, 2011, it performed its first operational interception of a grad rocket fired from the Gaza Strip at the Israeli city of Ashkelon. Since then, the Iron Dome's capabilities have been tested consistently,  and the system has successfully prevented countless rockets from hitting Israeli communities. During Operation Pillar of Defense in 2012 and Operation Protective Edge in 2014, the Iron Dome's success rate reached 90%, and its abilities only continued to improve with time. As a result, in 2012, the Iron Dome was awarded the prestigious Israel Defense Prize. The United States was a partner in developing the Iron Dome system and continues to develop it with Israel today. IMDO leads the development of the Iron Dome, with Rafael Advanced Defense Systems as the main contractor, Elta of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), and mPrest of Rafael. The Iron Dome system operates through a sophisticated sequence of integrated components. The MMR Radar initiates the process by detecting rocket routes over Iron Dome batteries, after which the mPrest-developed command-and-control center analyzes the rockets' trajectory and estimated landing area to ensure effective interception. Once this analysis is complete, the launcher receives operational orders from the command-and-control unit to execute the interception.

·      David's Sling: Intercepts short to medium and medium to long range surface-to-surface missiles (middle layer). The David's Sling is an innovative, defensive solution for tackling large caliber rockets, short-range ballistic missiles, and developing threats. Its system is designed to strike the target directly. David's Sling significantly strengthens Israel's aerial defense strategy. It is a central factor in Israel's multi-tiered defense array, providing additional protection against short and medium-range threats and complementing the capabilities of the Arrow and the Iron Dome systems. Development of the David's Sling began in 2006. In 2016, David's Sling was transferred to the Israeli Air Force and, in April 2017, was declared operational following a series of tests. The David's Sling was awarded the Technology Pioneer Award at the 2017 Multinational Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Conference in Boston, Massachusetts, in recognition of its groundbreaking achievements in Lower-Tier Ballistic Missiles and Cruise Missile Defense. The David's Sling Weapon System was developed through cooperation between the U.S. and Israel. Rafael Advanced Defense Systems is the primary contractor for the system, with Raytheon Missile Systems as a subcontractor. Elta, a subsidiary of IAI, developed the MMR. Elisra, an Elbit subsidiary, developed the BMC, known as the Golden Almond. The David's Sling system operates through three primary components in seamless coordination. At its core, the Golden Almond command and control center provides comprehensive threat assessment, planning, and interception control. Working alongside it, the MMR radar system handles the detection, identification, and tracking of airborne threats. The system's offensive capability comes from the David's Sling interceptor, a two-stage missile jointly produced by Rafael and Raytheon, featuring both front and rear steering systems that enable highly effective performance.

·      Arrow-2: Intercepts medium to long-range missiles (upper layer). Development of the Arrow system accelerated in 1991 following IMDO's establishment and due to the firing of scud missiles onto Israel during the First Gulf War. On November 29th, 1998, the first Arrow-2 system was transferred to the Israeli Air Force (IAF),  and in November 2002, two batteries were placed. Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is the primary contractor for Arrow System development. The Arrow system integrates three sophisticated components to provide comprehensive missile defense. The Citron Tree, developed and manufactured by Elbit Systems, is one of the world's most advanced command and control centers, maintaining crucial links with IAF and IDF Homefront Command systems while offering interface capabilities with external systems. For threat detection, the system employs the Green Pine Radar System and its enhanced version, Super Green Pine, both developed and manufactured by IAI subsidiary Elta, which are capable of detecting, identifying, and tracking long-range ballistic missiles. The system's interceptor component, the Arrow-2, developed and manufactured by IAI's MLM division, features an operational advanced system characterized by two-stage capability and superior maneuverability.

·      Arrow-3: Intercepts long-range missiles (upper layer). Arrow-3 serves as the top layer of Israel's defense array. Its interceptor is a world-class missile that, together with the Arrow-2, significantly expands the State of Israel's defense capabilities. The Arrow-3 system's capabilities enable more extended range, higher altitude (exo-atmospheric), and more precise ballistic missile engagements. Development of the Arrow is a joint Israeli American project, and the collaboration of the MDA proved invaluable to its success. The primary contractor for integrating and developing the Arrow Weapon System is MLM of IAI. The Elisra Company, a subsidiary of Elbit Systems, developed the BMC system. Boeing, Tomer, and Rafael are the main subcontractors for the development and integration of the interceptor. Rafael is the company responsible for developing various components of the weapon system. On January 18th, 2017, IMDO transferred the operational Arrow-3  to the Israeli Air Force (IAF) Aerial Defense Array, and in the same year, the system was awarded the Israel Defense Award. In July 2019, the IMDO and the U.S. MDA completed a series of tests of the Arrow 3 weapon system in Alaska. They successfully demonstrated hit-to-kill interceptions of high-altitude, exo-atmospheric targets.

The UAV Administration is responsible for managing the unmanned aircraft systems program to strengthen the qualitative edge of the Israeli defense establishment. 

Israel is among the world's leaders in the development of unmanned tools, particularly in the field of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).  The Israeli UAV provides the IDF and the broader defense establishment a strategic advantage.  This tool is primarily used for reconnaissance, infantry support, defense missions, and more. As the needs diversify, so do the capabilities of UAVs. Today, Israel's UAVs can fly higher, longer, and farther, but they can also conduct any mission at hand, day or night, rain or shine.

In recent years, the market for drones and UAVs has grown exponentially. Demand for these capabilities has led to further development and the advancement of their technical abilities. This administration works in cooperation with the Israeli Air  Force, Navy, and Ground Forces, as well as with Israeli defense industries and subcontractors, to keep Israel at the forefront of global UAV development.

The Administration was established in 2001 under the Ministry of Defense DDR&D. It is responsible for developing and producing UAV elements, including communication systems, payloads, and other mission stations. The administration aims to create advanced, cutting-edge, and cost-effective systems to address the IDF's operational needs.

Responsibilities:

·      To lead, coordinate, and manage the development of UAV systems.

·      To serve as a center of knowledge in the global UAV market.

·      To make use of cutting-edge technology and adapt to global trends.

·      To promote Israeli product development.

·      To support the IDF and address its operational needs

·      To operate in conjunction with Israel's Air Force, Navy, Ground Forces, and Intelligence

UAVs currently in service include the Eitan (Heron TP), Shoval (Heron 1), Hermes 450, and Hermes 900. IDF ground and naval forces also operate a system of UAVs, which are divided into three tiers—upper, intermediate, and lower—based on their technical abilities:

a)     Upper Tier: The Eitan (also known as the Heron TP or Heron 2), manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), is a sophisticated unmanned aerial vehicle with impressive capabilities. This aircraft, first displayed publicly at the Paris Air Show in June 2007 and incorporated into the IAF in February 2010, features a maximum altitude of 40,000 feet. It made its first operational flight during Operation Cast Lead. The aircraft's physical specifications are substantial, measuring 15 meters in length with a 26-meter wingspan, and it maintains a carrying capacity of 1 ton for fuel and systems.

b)    Intermediate Tier: The tactical layer of UAVs, consisting of the Hermes 450, Hermes 900, and Shoval, operates at a maximum altitude of 20,000 feet. These aircraft are designed for extended flight durations to meet the diverse needs of the Air Force, Ground Forces, Navy, and Intelligence divisions. Two companies share the manufacturing responsibilities: Elbit Systems produces the Hermes UAVs and IAI manufactures the Shoval.

c)     Lower Tier: The low-altitude UAV tier operates at a maximum altitude of 5,000 feet and is primarily utilized by the IDF Ground Forces. The primary system in this category is the Skylark 1, manufactured by Elbit Systems, which weighs just 10kg and is used primarily for reconnaissance missions. Looking ahead, the IDF's ground forces are preparing to deploy the Skylark 3, a more substantial system weighing 45kg, which will be operated at the brigade level.

The Space Administration is responsible for developing satellites and their launching systems.

The Space Administration, within the DDR&D, was established in the 1980s to address Israel's operational needs and to advance its space program. The Space Administration coordinates all of Israel's aerospace defense activities. It is responsible for developing satellites and launchers, guaranteeing Israel's independence in space. Technological developments are led by members of the Space Administration and carried out by Israel's defense industries, combining innovation with the highest standard and quality of work.

Over the years, the administration's knowledge, abilities, and pioneering research have promoted Israel's space industry. Israel was the seventh country in the world to achieve full capabilities in the space domain and is today one of only twelve nations with such abilities.

The Ministry of Defense's multi-year space and satellite development program is intended to enhance Israel's strategic capabilities, propel its high-tech industries, and create jobs. The State of Israel's significant investment in aerospace has led to developing strategic defensive products, primarily in intelligence. At the forefront of Israel's space program is the Ofek satellite series.

The first Israeli satellite, Ofek 1, was launched in 1988. Since then, Israel has taken several leaps forward in improving its technological capabilities and resulting intelligence products. In April 2014, Israel successfully launched the Ofek 10 observation satellite.  Several hours after its initial launch, it began its orbit around the Earth and transmitted data to a control center. In September 2016, Israel launched the Ofek 11 observation satellite into space.

In addition, the DDR&D encompasses comprehensive planning, logistics, and communications units within its organization, making it one of the world’s most advanced centers for security technology and innovation. It ensures Israel's ability to develop the systems required to maintain its military strength and qualitative edge. As such, the DDR&D is responsible for nurturing the defense establishment's most outstanding resource: human talent.

Through the DDR&D's Talpiot and Psagot programs, high school graduates with exceptional academic and interpersonal abilities join the core of Israel's military research and development.

·      Talpiot Program: Led and managed by the Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD), Talpiot is one of Israel's elite military-academic technology units. Founded in 1979, Talpiot works to bridge the gap between groundbreaking R&D and operational capabilities. Every year, Talpiot recruits 50 talented students who demonstrate exceptional skills in math and science and who also show leadership qualities. As of 2013, about 10% of the unit's 850 graduates received some of Israel's most prestigious security awards, including the Israel Defense Award, Air Force Commander's Award, Head of Military Intelligence Award, and the Head of DDR&D Award. Throughout their compulsory military service, participants undergo three years of rigorous training in research, development, and ethics of the defense establishment. They commit to serving an additional six years in various roles in the IDF or the Ministry of Defense. Throughout their nine years in Talpiot, participants undergo academic and military training, completing their service at the forefront of defense and technology. 

·      Psagot  Program: Psagot is the military's flagship academic services program. High school graduates with outstanding talents are drafted into critical research and development positions at the core of the IDF's technological activities. Psagot trains engineers, introducing them to broad theoretical backgrounds and providing them with the tools to tackle many projects. The program includes intensive studies in challenging fields, including electronics, physics, and computer systems. Participants also undergo academic training in either electro-physics or software engineering. Graduates are assigned various roles in defense research and development at the end of their studies.