*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media
(NSI News Source Info) JERUSALEM, Israel - July 16, 2009: Israel has successfully tested a system that intercepts and destroys rockets such as those fired by militants from the Gaza Strip or from south Lebanon, the defence ministry said on Wednesday. 
Iron Dome is a mobile system developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. designed to intercept short-range rockets with a range less than 70 km.
Rafael presents the system as an effective solution to short range rockets (such as Qassam rockets) and 155mm shells, capable of operating both during the day and at night, under various weather conditions, and able to confront multiple simultaneous threats.
The system is composed of a radar, a control center, and interceptor missiles. Very limited information has been made available about the system in the Israeli media, but from this information it is known that the interceptor missile (named Tamir) is equipped with electro-optic sensors and several steering fins, providing it with high maneuverability.
The system's radar identifies the rocket launch, extrapolates its flight path and transfers this information to the control center, which then uses this information to determine the projected impact location. If the projected target justifies an interception, then an interceptor missile is fired.
In February 2007, the system was selected by Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak as the Israeli Defense Force's defense system against short range rockets. On July 7 2008, the first test of the system was completed successfully, and the system is scheduled to be operational in 2010.
The increasing danger of rocket and missile fire against the State of Israel (namely, Qassam rocket fire from Gaza, Katyusha rocket fire from South Lebanon, and Iran's ballistic missile arsenal) has led to the development of defense systems to counter this threat. In addition to the Iron Dome system, which is designed to intercept short range rockets, the David's Sling system has also been developed in order to intercept medium and long range rockets, while the Arrow missile, designed to intercept ballistic missiles, is already in use.
Missile system was successfully tested in March 2009; Defense Ministry of Israel expects fully operational system by 2010.*
The "Iron Dome" system developed by public armaments firm Rafael was tested successfully in recent days and destroyed an unspecified number of incoming rockets, the ministry said in a statement.
More tests are expected in the next few months before the defence system is deployed in southern Israel to counteract rockets fired by Palestinian militants based in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.
The military commentator of private television Channel 10 said meanwhile the defence ministry wants to deploy the system near the southern Israeli border town of Sderot by the beginning of 2010.
Iron Dome is expected to be able to intercept rockets with a range from four kilometres to 70 kilometres (2.5 to 44 miles).
"This system is a new defence element against rockets and will allow the Israeli army to better carry out its supreme duty which is to protect, in the best way, our civilian population," Defence Minister Ehud Barak said.
The Israeli military says militants have fired more than 200 rockets and mortar rounds at Israel since the January 18 end of the Jewish state's 22-day military offensive against Gaza.
Israeli areas near the Palestinian enclave have been the target of homemade Qassam rockets fired by Palestinian militants since the start of the intifada in September 2000.
The militant Shiite group Hezbollah fired more than 4,000 Katyusha rockets at Israel during the 2006 summer war between the two sides, forcing one million residents to flee homes in north Israel or hide in shelters.
Iron Dome is a mobile system developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. designed to intercept short-range rockets with a range less than 70 km.
Rafael presents the system as an effective solution to short range rockets (such as Qassam rockets) and 155mm shells, capable of operating both during the day and at night, under various weather conditions, and able to confront multiple simultaneous threats.
The system is composed of a radar, a control center, and interceptor missiles. Very limited information has been made available about the system in the Israeli media, but from this information it is known that the interceptor missile (named Tamir) is equipped with electro-optic sensors and several steering fins, providing it with high maneuverability.
The system's radar identifies the rocket launch, extrapolates its flight path and transfers this information to the control center, which then uses this information to determine the projected impact location. If the projected target justifies an interception, then an interceptor missile is fired.
In February 2007, the system was selected by Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak as the Israeli Defense Force's defense system against short range rockets. On July 7 2008, the first test of the system was completed successfully, and the system is scheduled to be operational in 2010.
The increasing danger of rocket and missile fire against the State of Israel (namely, Qassam rocket fire from Gaza, Katyusha rocket fire from South Lebanon, and Iran's ballistic missile arsenal) has led to the development of defense systems to counter this threat. In addition to the Iron Dome system, which is designed to intercept short range rockets, the David's Sling system has also been developed in order to intercept medium and long range rockets, while the Arrow missile, designed to intercept ballistic missiles, is already in use.
Missile system was successfully tested in March 2009; Defense Ministry of Israel expects fully operational system by 2010.*
The "Iron Dome" system developed by public armaments firm Rafael was tested successfully in recent days and destroyed an unspecified number of incoming rockets, the ministry said in a statement.
More tests are expected in the next few months before the defence system is deployed in southern Israel to counteract rockets fired by Palestinian militants based in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.
The military commentator of private television Channel 10 said meanwhile the defence ministry wants to deploy the system near the southern Israeli border town of Sderot by the beginning of 2010.
Iron Dome is expected to be able to intercept rockets with a range from four kilometres to 70 kilometres (2.5 to 44 miles).
"This system is a new defence element against rockets and will allow the Israeli army to better carry out its supreme duty which is to protect, in the best way, our civilian population," Defence Minister Ehud Barak said.
The Israeli military says militants have fired more than 200 rockets and mortar rounds at Israel since the January 18 end of the Jewish state's 22-day military offensive against Gaza.
Israeli areas near the Palestinian enclave have been the target of homemade Qassam rockets fired by Palestinian militants since the start of the intifada in September 2000.
The militant Shiite group Hezbollah fired more than 4,000 Katyusha rockets at Israel during the 2006 summer war between the two sides, forcing one million residents to flee homes in north Israel or hide in shelters.
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