The Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO), in the Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D), of the Israel Ministry of Defense, delivered the second of two Iron Dome Defense System batteries to the U.S. Army. The Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO), under the Israel Ministry of Defense (IMoD), delivered the first of two Iron Dome Defense System batteries to the U.S. Army on Sept 30. The batteries are being delivered to Army’s White Sands Missile Range (WMSR) in New Mexico to undergo the equipment fielding and training program. The rigorous testing of each system will end with a live-fire engagement to shoot down a surrogate cruise missile target.
Defense Minister, Benny Gantz: “The delivery of the Iron Dome to the U.S. Army once again demonstrates the close relations between the Israel Ministry of Defense and the U.S. Department of Defense, the effectiveness of the system against various threats, and the excellent technological capabilities of Israeli industries. I am confident that the system will assist the U.S. Army in protecting American troops from ballistic and airborne threats as well as from developing threats in the areas where U.S. troops are deployed on various missions.”
In August 2019 the United States and Israel signed an agreement for the procurement of two Iron Dome Defense System batteries (IDDS-A). These batteries will be employed in the defense of US troops against a variety of ballistic and aerial threats. The two Iron Dome batteries being procured by the U.S. Army includes two command posts and radars, 12 launchers, and 480 missiles. The batteries are being delivered to Army’s White Sands Missile Range (WMSR) in New Mexico to undergo the equipment fielding and training program. After the testing, the Iron Dome batteries will officially stand up at Fort Bliss, Texas, and be available for operational deployment by September 2021 and December 2021, respectively.
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. The Iron Dome is an integral part of Israel’s multi-layered defense array developed by the IMDO. The defense array includes the Iron Dome, David’s Sling, Arrow-2 and Arrow-3 weapon systems. . The system is designed to intercept and destroy short-range rockets and artillery shells fired from distances of 4 kilometers (2.5 mi) to 70 kilometers (43 mi) away. The system has been used by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) effectively in over 2,400 combat engagements.