The U.S. Marines completed their first live-fire training with an air defense system integrating Israel’s Iron Dome Interceptor. The system is based on an American radar and command-and-control center, combined with the Iron Dome (Tamir) interceptor and a mobile launcher developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Raytheon as a prime contractor.
In August 2023, the U.S. Marine Corps made a $200 million deal to acquire three Iron Dome anti-missile defense batteries from Israel. The deal including the purchase of 2,000 Tamir missiles.
The Tamir interceptor can intercept cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and various rockets, artillery shells, and mortars. The interceptor is developed by Rafael, which partnered with Raytheon as prime contractor in adapting it to the Marine Corps’ configuration and in training support.
During the training, the Marines fully operated the system, leading to the successful interception of targets. Additionally, the continuous launch capability of the Iron Dome interceptors from a mobile launcher, developed specifically for the Marines, was tested.
The training followed the completion of an entire training program and a series of tests as part of the development and acquisition plan led by the Marines to assess a new prototype system for medium-range intercept capability (MRIC).
“The successful training demonstrated the forces’ proficiency in fully operating the system, the performance of the mobile launcher developed for the Marines, and the capabilities of the Iron Dome interceptor in relevant and challenging interception scenarios,” said the Israel Ministry of Defense.
The success of the live-fire exercise marks a significant milestone toward the operational deployment of the first prototype battery for the Marines.
The Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO) at the Directorate of Defense Research & Development (DDR&D) of the Israel Ministry of Defense leads the development of Israel’s multi-layered defense system, which is based on four operational defense layers: the Iron Dome Defense System, the David’s Sling Weapon System, and the Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 Weapon Systems.
Moshe Patel, Director of the IMDO, said “Iron Dome is a system with extensive operational experience, boasting thousands of successful interceptions for over a decade. Iron Dome continues to save lives even now, during the ‘Swords of Iron’ war. The U.S. Marines’ live-fire exercise further proves the Iron Dome interceptor’s ability and ground infrastructure to quickly and efficiently integrate with any relevant air defense system and intercept various aerial threats in complex scenarios. The Ministry of Defense welcomes any collaboration in air defense with U.S. military branches.”
Since its very first combat interception operated by the Israeli Air Force in April 2011, IRON DOME has proven to be a groundbreaking air defense system responsible for the resilience and security of the State of Israel. Developed in record time of just 2.5 years by a brilliant team of experts, IRON DOME has become the only multi-mission system in the world that provides a combat-proven solution to defeat Very Short Range (VSHORAD), as well as rocket, artillery and mortar (C-RAM) threats, aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, PGMs, and cruise missiles, for land and naval air defense, operating 24/7, in all weather conditions.
