The latest live fire test culminates a series of three trials carried out over the past year, and for the third time the system successfully intercepted a wide variety of targets. In this latest test, the ability to continuously launch TAMIR IRON DOME interceptors from a mobile launcher developed by the U.S. Marines was also tested. The series of tests were conducted by the Marines at the White Sands facility in New Mexico as part of the development programme to test a new prototype system for Medium Range Intercept Capability (MRIC – Medium Range Intercept Capability). The successful experiment proved both the performance of the mobile launcher developed for the Marines, and the performance of the IRON DOME interceptor, in several complicated interception scenarios.
Moshe Patel, Head of the Israeli Missile Defense Organization (IMDO) at the Ministry of Defense: “The current test, which completes a series of three tests, is further proof of the ability of the IRON DOME TAMIR interceptor, together with its ground array, to integrate quickly and efficiently with the entire relevant system and to intercept a variety of aerial threats in challenging and complex scenarios. We welcome any cooperation in the field of defence with the branches of the US military.”
“The three tests that took place this year proved that the performance of the MRIC system with IRON DOME interceptors is good and provides a dedicated launcher solution for the Marines,” said Don Kelly, Project Manager in the Air Defense Department (GBAD) of the Marine Corps’ Land Directorate (PEO Land Systems) at the end of the test.
Executive Vice President and Head of the Air and Missile Defense Directorate at RAFAEL Brigadier General (Ret.) Pini Yungman: “Once again, RAFAEL’s systems have proven that they are able to integrate into existing systems and create synergy between systems, providing optimal performance. RAFAEL’s advanced systems are developed with an ‘open architecture’ allowing seamless integration with other systems. In the latest test conducted by the Marines, a successful combination of the TAMIR interceptor launched from a new launcher developed under the leadership of the Marines, combined with the Marines’ radar system and the battle management system, which are systems developed by American industries, was demonstrated.
The TAMIR interceptor is capable of intercepting cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, a variety of rockets, mortars and Precision Guided Missiles. The interceptor was developed by RAFAEL, which was a partner in adapting it to the configuration of the Marine Corps and in conducting the experiment. In July 2014 it was announced that Raytheon would be the major U.S. partner in co-production of major components for the Iron Dome’s Tamir intercepting missile. In April 2016, Iron Dome’s Tamir interceptor successfully shot down a UAV during a test firing in the United States, the system’s first trial on foreign soil. The U.S. firm will supply components through various subcontractors. Rafael and Raytheon had teamed to offer the Iron Dome launcher and Tamir interceptor, known as SkyHunter in the U.S., to the U.S. Army as part of its Indirect Fires Protection Capability (IFPC) system, but Dynetics was instead chosen offering a launcher based on the Multi-Mission Launcher firing the AIM-9X Sidewinder.
