The first Iron Dome battery was delivered in September 2020 and is already undergoing a process of implementation in the US.
By Aryeh Savir, TPS
Israel’s Ministry of Defense delivered the second of two Iron Dome Defense System batteries to the US Army over the weekend, completing an agreement signed with the US.
In August 2019, the US and Israel signed an agreement for the procurement of two Iron Dome Defense System batteries (IDDS-A).
The first battery was delivered in September 2020 and is already undergoing a process of implementation in the US. The second battery was delivered in accordance with the agreement and project schedule.
These batteries will be employed in the defense of US troops against a variety of ballistic and aerial threats.
The systems transferred to the US include some minor modifications. A series of experiments and demonstrations were conducted at the White Sands experimental field in the US prior to the transfer of the systems.
Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz stated that “the delivery of the Iron Dome to the US Army once again demonstrates the close relations between the Israel Ministry of Defense and the US Department of Defense, the effectiveness of the system against various threats, and the excellent technological capabilities of Israeli industries.”
He expressed confidence that “the system will assist the US Army in protecting American troops from ballistic and airborne threats as well as from developing threats in the areas where US troops are deployed on various missions.”
The prime contractor for the development and production of the Iron Dome is Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. The MMR radar is developed by ELTA, a subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), and the command and control system (BMC), is developed by mPrest.
Developed in 2007 by Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and deployed by the Israeli Air Force in 2011, the Iron Dome system will complete a decade of operations in the coming year with more than 2,400 operational interceptions with a high 90% success rate that probably saved hundreds of Israeli lives.
The Iron Dome, which is designed for short-range interceptions, is part of Israel’s multi-layer defense system, which includes four operational defense layers: the Iron Dome system, the Magic Wand system, designed to contend with mid-range missiles, and the Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 systems, developed for long-range threats.
They provide a defense against a wide array of ballistic projectiles, with eyes on the Iranian ballistic threat and those presented by the Hezbollah terror organization from Lebanon and Hamas and Islamic Jihad from Gaza.
In 2018, the Iron Dome system was voted Israel’s all-time top innovation in a competition organized by the Ministry of Economy in honor of Israel’s 70th Yom Ha’atzmaut (Independence Day) celebrations.
Bring Joy to Israeli Soldiers - Send Winter Care Packages!
We are honored to thank the young men and women of the IDF who risk their lives every day to defend the citizens of Israel.
Join us in sending winter care packages and personal notes of support to Israeli soldiers who are out in the cold all day.
Warm up a soldier's heart with essential winter wear including fleece jackets, hats, gloves and more. Keep an entire unit warm!
THE SOLDIERS REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR LOVE AND CONCERN!
Click Here to Send Your Gift and Personal Note to Israeli Soldiers
Do You Love Israel? Make a Donation - Show Your Support!
Donate to vital charities that help protect Israeli citizens and inspire millions around the world to support Israel too!
Now more than ever, Israel needs your help to fight and win the war -- including on the battlefield of public opinion.
Antisemitism, anti-Israel bias and boycotts are out of control. Israel's enemies are inciting terror and violence against innocent Israelis and Jews around the world. Help us fight back!