Israel’s Iron Dome Missile Interceptor To Improve Nation’s Defense

The Israel Missile Defense Organization or IMDO completed a series of preplanned trials on Monday, as part of a project upgrade to the Iron Dome missile interception system.

The trials were intended to broaden the system's operational capacity and improve its capabilities against unprecedented threat attacks.

A missile defense system developed by Rafael and IDF, the Iron Dome is made of three components: the detection and radar installation, battle management and weapons control (BMC), and the missile firing unit that are designed to intercept incoming rockets, long-range artillery and aircraft, calculate their trajectory and intercept and destroy them by launching the Tamir missile interceptor.

The Dome has been the government’s preferred choice in dealing with short-range missiles, and was successfully deployed in March 2011 to thwart the Hamas missile threat in Gaza.

The IMOD also completed the first Magic Wand (David's Sling) missile interceptor trial a few months ago. Data from the latest trial will ensure continued system development of the Iron Dome missile and on-going work required for the Magic Wand's future operational readiness.

An upgraded Tamir interceptor model will be operational in coming months, and will be used by the Dome batteries alongside the existing interceptors. This is expected to enhance the Iron Dome's arsenal and upgrade its decision making capabilities.