Israeli Iron Dome defense system: Patriot missiles successfully test fired.

On Wednesday, April 17, Israel announced it had (once again) successfully tested two Raytheon MIM-104 Patriot missiles in the framework of its Iron Dome air defense systems, intercepting five targets. “The Israeli Air Force successfully concluded a series of exercises and tests to evaluate operational readiness and alertness to continue to maintain the necessary defense of Israel's skies," a military spokesperson stated.

Raytheon MIM-104 Patriot (Picture source: Raytheon)

The exercise, which took place in the Palmachim air base in central Israel, included several scenarios aimed at evaluating the proficiency of the combat soldiers and technicians from the IAF Aerial Defense Array and its systems.

The Iron Dome entered operational service with the Israeli Defence Forces in early 2011, and since then has been the most used missile defense system in the world, boasting nearly a 90% success rate intercepting over 1500 incoming targets heading towards population centers. Since becoming operational with the Israeli Air Force in April 2011, the Iron Dome has successfully intercepted hundreds of rockets fired from the Gaza Strip at Southern and Central Israel. Iron Dome system has achieved a very high rate of successful interceptions.

The Iron Dome is the only combat-proven dual mission system in the world that provides an effective defense solution for countering rockets, artillery & mortars (C-RAM) as well as aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, PGMs. The Iron Dome air defense system is indeed effective to counter C-RAM (Counter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar) threats with ranges of up to 70 km and for VSHORAD (Very Short Range Air Defense System) protection (up to 10 km). The system operates during day/night in all-weather conditions, including low clouds, rain, dust storms or fog. Iron Dome can handle multiple threats simultaneously and efficiently. The system enables effective and selective handling of critical threats aimed at the defended zone to reduce unnecessary launches.

The latest version of the Israeli-made Iron Dome is able to intercept mortar shells that are in the air for just 15 seconds.