The C-Dome interception test constitutes the final stage of operationalization, said a joint statement from the Israel Ministry of Defense (IMoD) and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
By Erin Viner
The Israeli Navy, the IMoD, the Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO), and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems completed an advanced interception test of the C-Dome Naval Iron Dome System, which is an advanced configuration of Israeli’s Iron Dome aerial defense system.
The C-Dome adds another layer to of the State of Israel’s multi-tiered missile and air defense array, based on the four operational Iron Dome, David’s Sling, Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 weapons systems (AWS).
“The operationalization of the C-Dome system is a significant milestone for the State of Israel’s naval defense capabilities,” declared Defense Minister Benny Gantz, adding, “Israel is continuing to build and strengthen its defense and attack capabilities – and will continue to keep its defensive edge in the area, protect its assets, its infrastructure and first and foremost – the lives and safety of the citizens of Israel.”
The system detected and intercepted multiple simulated advanced threats “in challenging scenarios,” said a statement TV7 obtained from the IMoD Spokesperson’s Office, and will serve as “a significant addition to the Israeli Navy’s defense capabilities in a wide array of missions, including the guarding of strategic assets, the Exclusive Economic Zone, and maintaining the regional maritime superiority of the State of Israel.”
The latest achievement is the result of the joint technological and engineering efforts of the Israeli Navy, the IMoD Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D) and its IMDO division, Rafael as the primary contractor and developer, the Israel Aerospace Industry‘s (IAI) Elta division as the radar manufacturer, and mPrest as the c2 manufacturer.
The operational system was created through the integration of multiple different systems, utilizing full operational capabilities for use by female and male sailors of the Israeli Navy.
IMDO Head Moshe Patel remarked that the C-Dome “expertly identified threats and successfully intercepted them by launching Iron Dome interceptors towards them from the sea.” The Iron Dome interception system, he pointed out, “completed a tremendously successful series of tests this past year, both in Israel and in the United States, as part of the interception tests conducted by the Marine Corps and the United States Army,” in addition to having met “our operational objectives including during Operation Breaking Dawn earlier this year.”
As part of the interception test, the system was installed on the aboard the Israeli Naval Ship (INS) “Oz,” the second of four advanced Sa’ar-6 Magen Class Corvettes received by the Israeli Navy in the last two years.
Deputy Commander in Chief of the Israeli Navy, Rear Admiral Guy Goldfarb said that the Israeli Navy “is at the height of the advanced operationalization of the Sa’ar 6 corvettes, currently taking place at record speed.” Underscoring that changes to the maritime arena have led “to wider responsibilities and more extensive operational tasks for the Israeli Navy,” he said that the Sa’ar 6 corvettes “will be a central means of protecting the Exclusive Economic Zone and ensuring the State of Israel’s maritime superiority.”
Rafael’s Head of the Land and Naval Systems Directorate and Executive Vice President Dr. Ran Gozali hailed the C-Dome as “the first operational naval defense solution of its kind and the test on the Saar 6 corvette of the Israeli Navy serves as a monumental achievement in the development of the system,” and expressed pride that it will be used to protect Israel’s many strategic assets.