Naval Iron Dome System Declared Operational

On Monday, the Israeli Air Force and Navy announced that missile defense system Iron Dome had been declared operational for use at sea, following 18 months of testing.

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Iron Dome, used throughout Israel to intercept short-range missiles, was positioned on the deck of an Israeli navy ship to test it for use on the open sea. The naval model of the Iron Dome was also synched with a naval radar, as well as with detection systems on shore.

The tests included launching rocket-like projectiles to ranges of dozens of kilometers, simulating rockets launched from the Gaza Strip in previous conflicts. Commanders of the trial said on Monday that all the targets were intercepted successfully and precisely.

Now operational, the naval Iron Dome will be used to protect marine targets, such as Israel’s natural gas rigs in the Mediterranean.

Iron Dome was developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. It utilizes a battle management control (BMC) software developed by Israeli startup mPrest and a radar system developed by Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd.

The Iron Dome first declared operational on land in 2011 and had since become a central element of the country’s defense program.