The Iron Dome defense system has proved a game-changer when it comes to protecting the home front, thanks to a decade-long partnership between Raytheon Missiles & Defense and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd, who announced Monday that they have established a joint venture to produce Iron Dome Weapon Systems in the US.
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The new facility will produce both the Iron Dome Weapon System, which consists of the Tamir interceptor and launcher and the SkyHunter missile, a US derivative of the Tamir.
Iron Dome has been used extensively during various flare-ups between Israel and the Palestinians, frustrating terrorists attempt to target civilian population centers. According to various reports in the foreign media, its success rate stands at about 90% and it has carried out more than 2,500 such interceptions.
The two companies expect to agree on a site location by the end of 2020.
"This will be the first Iron Dome all-up-round facility outside of Israel, and it will help the US Department of Defense and allies across the globe obtain the system for defense of their service members and critical infrastructure," said Sam Deneke, Vice President of Land Warfare and Air Defense business execution at Raytheon.
Brig. Gen. (res.) Pini Yungman, executive VP for Air and Missile Defense at Rafael said, "We are excited about this new stage in our partnership with Raytheon and proud of our US production."
Yungman said that Rafael and Raytheon had "long partnered on US production of Iron Dome and are pleased to increase manufacturing and bring SkyHunter to the US."
The Iron Dome system was originally funded and developed by Israel, which built and deployed the first two batteries. The US is providing funding for another eight batteries, as well as the interceptor missiles they use.
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