Why It’s Time for the US Army to Divest Iron Dome
The Iron Dome system is capable and combat proven, but it does not match the U.S. Army’s needs. After several years of experimenting, it's time to move on.
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iron dome
24 items, Page 1 of 3
Israel Tests New Iron Beam Rocket Defense System
On April 14, Israeli leaders said that Israel’s new laser missile-defense system, called the Iron Beam, effectively intercepted mortars, rockets and anti-tank missiles in recent tests. Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said that the system’s “interceptions are silent, they’re invisible and they [the interceptions] only cost around $3.50” each. In comparison, each interception using Israel’s...
Israel Conducts First C-Dome Air Defense Live-fire Test
On February 21, Israel completed the first series of live-fire tests of its C-Dome air defense system. According to the Israel Defense Force, the tests “simulated a number of advanced threats including rocket fire, cruise missiles & UAVs, which the ‘C-Dome’ is designed to successfully intercept.” The C-Dome is a naval version of Israel’s Iron...
US Tests Iron Dome For Army Use
On August 23, Israel’s Ministry of Defense announced successful flight tests of the Iron Dome missile defense system with the United States. The test took place at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico and demonstrated the first of two Iron Dome batteries configured for U.S. Army service under the Interim Fire Protection Capability (IFPC)...
Israel, Hamas Exchange Missile Fires
On May 10, Hamas and its allies began launching rocket salvos against Israel after clashes over Israeli land seizures in East Jerusalem and wider Palestinian displacement. Militants in Gaza launched 3,000 rockets toward Israel, half of which were likely to fall in populated areas. Israeli authorities have claimed that its Iron Dome rocket defense system...
Israel Tests Multiple Missile Defense Systems
On Dec 15, Israel’s Ministry of Defense announced the completion of a major air and missile defense exercise, employing Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow weapons systems in a series of flight tests. In the exercise, the Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO), in cooperation with the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA), successfully intercepted a variety...
US Activates Iron Dome Air Defense System
On November 13, the U.S. Army announced it had activated two units to evaluate the Iron Dome system for an interim cruise missile defense capability. According to an Army statement, the new batteries will draw personnel from the Army Air Defense Artillery School and a converted Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery to prepare...
US Army Suspends Iron Dome Adoption
On March 7, the U.S. Army scrapped plans to purchase two additional batteries of the Israeli-built Iron Dome missile defense system by 2023. In earlier remarks, Army officials cited the system’s untested record against advanced cruise missiles and Israel’s reluctance to share software source code as a central reason for the cancellation. According to Futures...
Israel Tests Upgraded Iron Dome
On January 12, the Israeli Defense Ministry announced it had successfully tested an “upgraded and improved version” of the Iron Dome missile defense system. According to Israel’s Missile Defense Organization, the tests “simulated the future threats that the [Iron Dome] system may confront,” and validate the upgraded system prior to its entry into service. Introduced...
Israel Intercepts Four Rockets From Syria, Launches Airstrikes (Update)
On November 19, the Israeli Defense Forces stated its Iron Dome missile defense system had intercepted four rockets fired over the Golan Heights. Speaking later to media, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz blamed Iranian-backed militias in Syria for the attack. Syrian sources later reported that Israel launched five missiles at targets in Damascus, causing explosions...