The US Army said Wednesday it wants to purchase a pair of Iron Dome short-range air defense systems, an interceptor technology developed by Israel with US support.
Army spokesman Colonel Patrick Seiber said the deal would meet a short-term need to protect troops from "indirect fire" such as rockets and mortars.
No decisions have been made yet about where the two systems may be deployed.
"The Iron Dome will be assessed and experimented as a system that is currently available to protect deployed US military service members against a wide variety of indirect fire threats and aerial threats," Seiber said in a statement.
Iron Dome systems have been in operation by the Israeli air force since 2011 and have seen frequent use in thwarting rocket attacks from Gaza and elsewhere.
Seiber said the US Army will "assess a variety of options" for a system that could be used in the long term.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who also serves as defense minister, called the deal further proof of Israel's alliance with the US.
"Israel has an Iron Dome and an iron fist. Our systems know how to deal with any threat, both in defense and in attack. I would not recommend our enemies to try us," he said in a defense ministry statement.
Seiber said the US Army proposes spending $1.6 billion through 2024 to field an "enduring capability" that may include portions of the Iron Dome system.
The Iron Dome system was developed by Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems with the help of US funding.
It is designed to intercept rockets and artillery shells fired from a range of four to 70 kilometers (three to 45 miles).
Each battery comprises detection and tracking radar, state-of-the-art fire control software and three launchers, each with 20 interceptor missiles.
Related Links
Learn about missile defense at SpaceWar.com
Learn about nuclear weapons doctrine and defense at SpaceWar.com
All about missiles at SpaceWar.com
Learn about the Superpowers of the 21st Century at SpaceWar.com
| Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.</span> |
||
| SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal |
 |
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only |
Raytheon, Lockheed contracted for Patriot systems for foreign customers
Washington (UPI) Feb 4, 2019
Lockheed Martin Corp. and Raytheon Co. have been awarded separate U.S. Army contracts totaling nearly $45 million for foreign customers of Patriot missile systems. The Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept on Target Advanced Capability-3, or Patriot PAC-3, are used to defend against incoming threats, including tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and aircraft. The PAC-3 missiles first were deployed during the Iraq conflict in 2003. Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, who developed t ... read more
from Military Space News, Nuclear Weapons, Missile Defense http://bit.ly/2RLs7BN
via space News
No comments: