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IRON
DOME Defense system against short range artillery rockets
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The
Iron Dome is an effective and innovative mobile defense solution for
countering short range rockets and 155 mm artillery shell threats with
ranges of up to 70 km in all weather conditions, including low clouds,
rain, dust storms or fog. The Iron Dome is developed by the Israeli
Defence Company Rafael. Development of Iron Dome began in January 2008,
and is virtually complete after just two and a half years. The system
uses a unique interceptor with a special warhead that detonates any
target in the air within seconds. The Iron dome is a cost effective
system that can handle multiple threats simultaneously and efficiently.
The Iron Dome system has been selected by the Israeli Defense Ministry
as the best system offering the most comprehensive defense solution
against a wide range of threats in a relatively short development cycle
and at low cost. The Iron Dome System, which is expected to provide
defense to residents of Israel's South against rockets launched from
the Gaza Strip, is entering into the final stages of performance testing
and was even presented this week for the first time in an exhibition
of technological weapons which was held at the Rabin military base.
The Iron Dome system became operational in early 2011, initially deployed
at air force bases in southern Israel. It will be set up in other areas,
such as the town of Sderot, during significant escalations along the
Gaza border.
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Variants |
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Technical
Data |
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Design |
Iron Dome
is composed of three fundamental elements - a detection and
tracking radar, battle management and weapon control system
(BMC). A missile firing unit (MFU) with 20 ready to fire from
container-launchers (three launchers for one single battery).
The radar system EL/M-2084 has been developed by an Israeli
defence company, Elta. The control system has been built by
an Israeli software company, mPrest Systems, engaged by Rafael.
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Missile |
The
missile launched by the firing unit of Iron Dome includes Tamir
interceptor missiles. It has several steering fins for high
manoeuvrability and is equipped with electro-optic sensors.
The
Tamir interceptor was designed for high efficiency and low cost.
The missile uses elements that have already been proven in other
Rafael designs, and employs new components designed for other
in a special warhead that detonates any target in the air within
seconds. Tamir missile , is 3 m long, weighs 90 kg and has a
160 mm diameter. |
Mobility |
The battery
is usually carried on a 6x6 vehicle, and can be rapidly placed
in position to protect strategic infrastructure targets, civilian
population centres or key military targets. Each Iron Dome
battery has 20 interceptors, all of which can engage different
targets at the same time.
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System
Operation |
The
Iron Dome radar detects and identifies the rocket or artillery
shell launch and monitors its trajectory. Target data is transmitted
to the Battle Management & Weapon Control (BMC) for processing.
The threat’s trajectory is quickly analyzed and the expected
impact point is estimated. If the estimated rocket trajectory
poses a critical threat, a command is given within seconds and
an interceptor is launched against the threat.
The interceptor receives trajectory updates from the BMC via
uplink communication. The interceptor approaches the target
and uses its radar seeker to acquire the target and guides the
interceptor within passing distance. The target warhead is detonated
over a neutral area, therefore reducing collateral damage to
the protected area. The Iron Dome is able to intercept and eliminate
a wide range of threats as mortar shells through Hamas' Qassams,
Hezbollah's Katyusha rockets and even the Fajr rockets supplied
by Iran to Hezbollah and Hamas. Beside its role as a C-RAM system,
Iron Dome can also provide combined C-RAM and Very Short Range
Air Defense (VSHORAD) defense for air bases, military staging
areas as well as coverage for maneuver units in the corps, division
and brigade areas of responsibility - protecting stationary
as well as mobile elements such as command posts, artillery
fire units, troop concentrations etc. A single Iron Dome battery
is required to protect an urban area of approximately 150 sq
km from rockets fired at a range of 15 km, with the defended
area growing if the rockets are fired from greater distances |
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Specifications |
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Type |
Air
defense missile syetm against short range artillery
rockets. |
Country
users |
Israel |
Designer
Country |
Israel
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Radar |
Detection
& Tracking Radar EL/M-2084 |
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Firing
unit |
20
container-launches each with one Tamir missile
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Weight
missile |
90
kg |
Length
missile |
3
m |
Missile
Range |
5,000
- 70,000 m |
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