Brig. Gen. (res.) Pini Yungman is confident Israel will soon export the short range missile interception system to the US, Globes reports.
"We'll make the first export deal for Iron Dome with the US ground forces during the current Hebrew calendar year," Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. EVP air superiority systems division head Brig. Gen. (res.) Pini Yungman told "Globes." He added, "There is no deal yet, but it may come soon."
The company's dealings with procurement agencies in the US army and Department of Defense are being coordinated with US corporation Raytheon, which is cooperating with Rafael in missile development. The two companies jointly develop and manufacture the David's Sling interception system for medium-range missiles, a system declared operational by the IDF three years ago. This cooperation also includes joint production of the Stunner interceptor missile used for David's Sling.
Rafael is not offering additional details about the emerging deal in the US or its monetary value. One Iron Dome interceptor missile costs $50,000, and the estimated price of one battery, including its command and control system, is $50 million.
Yungman's remarks indicate that Rafael has successfully completed installation of all of the units connected to the Iron Dome system in a single vehicle, which can provide mobile defense against short-range rockets and mortars for forces deployed on the battlefield. The truck-like vehicle will carry the launcher, radar, and the command and control system in order to provide close protection for maneuvering forces.
"This system has the same performance as the regular Iron Dome missile we are all familiar with," Yungman says. "it provides protection against rockets and mortars. We already have a model of the system, and if we have an end customer, we'll have it up and running within two years. The US taxpayer is funding part of the Iron Dome plan, so the US army is also entitled to benefit from this system."
Rafael and Raytheon tested Iron Dome twice in 2016 and 2017. "We and Raytheon jointly leased an Antonov-126, loaded a battery, and flew it to the US," Yungman says. The trial was conducted at the White Sands missile testing base. The system was challenged with two threated aimed at it unexpectedly, without its operators knowing even the general direction in advance. "All of the threats were successfully destroyed," says Yungman.