Aircraft
Raytheon To Market Israeli Defense System in US
Raytheon will market the Rafael Iron Dome mobile air defen
Raytheon will market the Rafael Iron Dome mobile air defense system in the U.S. (Photo: Rafael)
Raytheon will market the Rafael Iron Dome mobile air defense system in the U.S. (Photo: Rafael)

Raytheon will market the Rafael Iron Dome mobile air defense system in the U.S., the companies announced. Raytheon and Haifa, Israel-based Rafael Advanced Defense Systems also are teaming to offer ballistic missile defense and target missile systems.

Development of Iron Dome began in January 2008 to counter short-range rockets, mortars and 155-mm artillery shells. The system can be used in the VShorad (very short range air defense) role against traditional air threats and as a counter-rockets-and-mortar (C-RAM) system. Each battery contains 20 Tamir interceptor missiles and can be carried on military vehicles for rapid redeployment. Targets can be engaged and destroyed at ranges from four to at least 70 km. The system can launch multiple interceptors to handle salvo attacks.