Iron Dome Missile Defence System Successfully Intercepts Rockets

Two Rockets Fired at Israeli City Intercepted by Recently Deployed Defence System
09:30 GMT, April 8, 2011 defpro.com | Amid flaring conflict and increasing numbers of attacks on Israel’s borders, the recently deployed Iron Dome mobile short-range missile defence system was able to prove its worth in its first combat operation. Less than two weeks after the system become operational, it intercepted on Thursday two rockets fired from Gaza and probably aimed at the coastal City of Ashkelon, according to Israeli officials.

During a state visit to Prague, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed: “Our Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepted two projectiles successfully.” According to AFP, Netanyahu praised the system’s first operational use: “We have deployed them in the last two weeks without actually testing them in laboratory conditions... [and] they have so far worked very well.”

Two interceptor missiles, reportedly, were fired at the incoming threats and intercepted them in mid-air. Further, according to an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) spokeswoman, Israeli forces successfully targeted the rockets’ launching squad in response to the attack. Israeli Air Force (IAF) fighter aircraft have repeatedly launched strikes against suspected smuggling and “terror” tunnels in Gaza, as well as launch sites from which rockets were fired at Israeli territory.

INCREASING ATTACKS IN MARCH

The IDF recently reported that a General Security Service report showed increased number of terrorist attacks against Israel “on all fronts” since February. The IDF stated that attacks, in particular, were on the rise “in the Gaza Strip, where there was a sharp increase in the level of rocket and mortar fire at Israel, including Grad rockets that landed in Ashkelon and Be’er Sheba. Overall, there were 50 terrorist attacks in the Gaza area in March compared to 18 during the previous month.”

As a response to various attacks on Israeli civilians during the past months, including the use of anti-tank missiles and mortar shells, Israel decided in late March to deploy the Iron Dome system to the Be’er Sheba region. The Iron Dome system is built by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd in collaboration with ELTA Systems, a subsidiary of the Israel Aerospace Industry, as well as the IDF.

The system comprises a radar system built by ELTA, a control center, and interceptor missile batteries built by Rafael. The interceptor missile, dubbed Tamir, is equipped with electro-optic sensors and several steering fins, offering high manoeuvrability. Each such interceptor is estimated to cost between $35,000 to $50,000.

The Iron Dome radar detects and identifies incoming rocket or artillery shell launches and monitors their trajectory. The target data is transmitted to the Battle Management & Weapon Control (BMC) for processing. The threat’s trajectory is then analysed and the expected impact point can be determined. If the estimated rocket trajectory represents a critical threat, a command is given within a fraction of a second and an interceptor is launched against the threat. The interceptor receives constant trajectory updates from the BMC via uplink communications, approaches the target and then uses its radar seeker to acquire the target and guide itself within passing distance of the target. The threat is then eliminated in mid-air, well away from the protected area.

According to the IDF, the system is still considered to be “undergoing an operational trial.” Nevertheless, Thursday’s intercepts have proven the system’s capabilities in an operational environment.

Israeli rocket defence technology already had a chance to prove its worth in early March when an anti-tank missile was fired at an IDF tank in the southern Gaza Strip (see http://goo.gl/ll5OW). The incoming missile was automatically intercepted by the tank’s Trophy active defence system (also known as the “Windbreaker”). Being the system’s first operational use, it countered the missile without any casualties on the IDF’s side.

DEVELOPMENT CONTINUES FOR COMPREHENSIVE PROTECTION

The deployed Iron Dome batteries were toured both by the Israeli military leadership as well as by Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak. The latter visited an Iron Dome battery on 31 March, together with the IAF Commander, Maj. Gen. Ido Nechushtan.

During his visit, Barak announced that Israel is developing new missile defence solutions which will complement the Iron Dome defence shield. “In the next few years, the Iron Dome will be joined by the Magic Wand and a more advanced Arrow missile. Along with the older version of the Arrow, we’ll achieve the most effective defence in the country,” the Defence Minister said.

Further, the IAF Commander emphasised that Israel is the first country in the world to use “rockets for anti-rocket warfare.” However Maj. Gen. Nechushtan also warned that Iron Dome must not be considered an absolute solution to the rocket threat and explained: “The system has limitations. It doesn’t provide complete protection. We must acknowledge this fact.”

This was underlined by another sad incident that occurred on Thursday. An anti-tank missile was fired from the Gaza territory and hit an Israeli school bus, seriously wounding the driver and a 16-year-old boy. The Hamas claimed that the attack was in retaliation for an IDF air strike and, thus, the spiral of violence continues in this troubled part of the world.

By Nicolas von(Defpro)