Rafael partners with Raytheon to sell Iron Dome worldwide
There has been significant international interest in the system, particularly among coalition forces in Afghanistan.
By YAAKOV KATZIron Dome 311(photo credit: REUTERS)
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems announced on Tuesday that it is teaming up with Raytheon in the United States to lead international marketing for the Iron Dome counter-rocket defense system.Rafael developed the original Iron Dome to provide protection against rockets, artillery and mortar attacks.In April, it successfully intercepted eight rockets fired into Israel. A battery was recently deployed outside of Ashkelon due to the latest increase in rocket fire from the Gaza Strip.
The Iron Dome has so far been sold to Israel and Singapore, according to intelligence websites. There has been significant international interest in the system particularly among coalition forces in Afghanistan.“Iron Dome complements other Raytheon weapons that provide intercept capabilities to the US Army’s Counter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar [C-RAM] initiative at forward operating bases,” said Mike Booen, vice president of Raytheon Missile Systems’ Advanced Security and Directed Energy Systems product line.“Iron Dome can be seamlessly integrated with Raytheon’s C-RAM systems to complete the layered defense.”Raytheon and Rafael are also teaming up on the David’s Sling Weapon System, which will serve as Israel’s medium-range missile defense system when it is declared operational in 2013.“The Iron Dome teaming builds on our decade-long, ongoing cooperation with Raytheon Missile Systems to provide air and missile defense solutions,” said David Stemer, Rafael executive vice president and general manager of Rafael’s Missile Division.“Iron Dome delivers a leap-ahead, affordable capability for future customers.”
