From the Ukraine we take a hard left and head south by southwest (not a Hitchcock movie)!
Yes, I am a geek when it comes to international relations, especially dealing with the Middle East. Whenever people hear the term “Middle East” they immediately think of Israel and its conflict with the Palestinians and its neighbors…..the country of Israel is so important to the US that we sink $429 million into their scheme for a system to intercept incoming missiles, Iron Dome is its code name.
“The Iron Dome system is capable of intercepting and destroying short-range rockets, and mortar and artillery shells, and is an invaluable component of Israeli missile defense,” the statement reads. “During Operation Pillar of Defense in 2012, Iron Dome was credited with saving countless Israeli lives, and was called a ‘game-changer’ by many Israeli policy-makers.”
The agreement, concluded last Wednesday, “ensures continued US funding for procurement of Iron Dome systems and interceptors, and provides for significant co-production opportunities for US industry. Under the terms of the agreement, $429 million will be transferred immediately to Israel to support Iron Dome procurement.”
Iron Dome is this magic bullet that will protect Israel from rocket attacks from their enemies, which are many in the region……but what is it exactly?
The system is designed to counter short-range rockets and 155 mm artillery shells with a range of up to 70 kilometers. According to its manufacturer, Iron Dome will operate day and night, under adverse weather conditions, and can respond to multiple threats simultaneously.
Iron Dome has three central parts:
- Detection & Tracking Radar: the radar system is built by Elta, an Israeli defense company and subsidiary of the Israel Aerospace Industry, as well as the IDF.
- Battle Management & Weapon Control (BMC): the control center is built by mPrest Systems, an Israeli software company, for Rafael
- Missile Firing Unit: the unit launches the Tamir interceptor missile, equipped with electro-optic sensors and several steering fins for high maneuverability. The missile is built by Rafael.
The system’s radar is developed and manufactured by IAI’s ELTA division and referred to as ELM-2084. It detects the rocket’s launch and tracks its trajectory. Then, the BMC calculates the expected hit point according to the reported data, and uses this information to determine whether the target constitutes a threat to a designated area; only in this case an interceptor missile is fired to detonate and destroy the rocket before it reaches the expected impact area.
Now that you are well aware of the scope of this weapon……maybe we should see how well t does work…..
A barrage of at least 70 rockets was fired from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel on Wednesday evening. There were no casualties.
The IDF’s Iron Dome system successfully intercepted three rockets, and area residents have been called to stay within protected areas.
Intercepted 3 out of 70? That is less than 10% of the incoming rockets were intercepted. We, meaning America, spent $429 million to help develop a system that has less than 10% success rate……..now there is money well spent…..maybe they should hire a bunch of slingers and let them hurdle rocks at the incoming rockets……bet the success rate would be better and it would cost the US a whole less money…….whatcha think?
One question should be where did the majority of the rockets land? From what I heard, iron dome does not target rockets that will be landing in the middle of uninhabited desert. I don’t know if the system was truly designed in that way but it would make sense if it was.
Most of the rockets fall into open spaces……..unlike the airstrikes that right on target no matter who is in the way……I hope that it is targeting the ones headed for populated areas…but I have NO faith in that premise at all….