US Army tested the Iron Dome system for the first time on American soil. According to Israel’s Ministry of Defense, Israeli officials were also present in the live-fire exercise. These tests come after about 8 months of Iron Dome induction into the US Army. US Army procured three batteries of this lethal defense system from Israel. According to initial details, These tests were conducted at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, United States of America. In these tests, the Iron Dome system is used to intercept and destroy several targets including Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).
History of Iron Dome in the US Army:
In September 2020, the US Army received the first battery of the Iron Dome defense system, and in January 2021, Israel provided a second battery. According to initial details, the US Army will deploy Iron Dome batteries in the Persian Gulf to protect vital US assets in the region. US Army had already deployed Patriot missile defense systems in the region. The proliferation of UAVs in the Middle East forced the US to deploy a maximum number of defense systems in the region to protect US Troops and assets.
About Iron Dome:
Developed by an Israel based firm “Rafael and Israel Aerospace”, the Iron Dome system is designed to intercept and destroy short-range rockets and artillery shells. This defense system has been in use by the Israel Defense Forces since 2011. Israeli troops extensively used this system against different groups such as Hamas, Hazubullah, Syrian Rebels, Jorden, etc.
Umair Aslam is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Global Defense Insight. He has worked as a defense journalist reporting on military modernization programs, defense industry, arms procurement, and emerging technologies.
