Report: U.S. Army acquires two Iron Dome batteries
"The Iron Dome system provides the best value for the US military in terms of the timetable for its acquisition and deployment," the US report said.
By CASSANDRA GOMES-HOCHBERGIron Dome testing (photo credit: MINISTRY OF DEFENSE SPOKESPERSON'S OFFICE)
The US Army will acquire two Iron Dome batteries by 2020 as well as consider the full adoption of the Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2-Intercept, both systems developed by Israel, Inside Defense reported Wednesday.The Iron Dome batteries will provide US ground forces an interim capability against unmanned air vehicles, mortars, rockets, artillery and cruise missiles.The US Army has been working to transform the Israeli interceptor into an American system to defend forward-deployed US forces since 2017.The US Army has performed tests to evaluate which missile system would best serve this purpose.Rafael Advanced Defense System's Iron Dome came before systems by Boeing and General Dynamics Land Systems’ specially armed Stryker vehicles.According to a congressional document reported by Yediot Ahronot, the US military sought to invest U$289.7 million for the current fiscal year and another U$83.8 million for the next fiscal year for the system's integration. In addition, the US Army requested U$ 1.6 billion until 2024 for Iron Dome's full integration."The Iron Dome system provides the best value for the US military in terms of the timetable for its acquisition and deployment," the US report said.The system will be fully produced in the United States by Rafael as a subcontractor and Raytheon, Rafael's US partner for the system’s production.Anna Ahronheim contributed to this report.
