Sea Sparrow missile, similar to missile tested in previous Israeli exercises. Photo: wiki commons.

Israel’s Ministry of Defense announced Friday that a rocket propulsion system was successfully tested at the IDF’s Palmachim base, Israel’s Channel 2 reported, citing the ministry.

Channel 2 cited foreign reports that estimate Israeli propulsion systems can send missiles with non-conventional warheads up to 4,500 km.

Local residents who witnessed the blast said they heard a loud boom, then saw the white trail of the rocket in the sky.

In February, 2012, Israel successfully tested an upgraded radar for its Arrow missile defense system, developed with the United States and designed to intercept projectiles that might be fired at the Jewish state from Iran.