Iron Dome Works -- Strategy Page
Israel had the first successful test of its Iron Dome anti-rocket system on July 15th. The system detected and shot down several BM-21 rockets. The Israelis expect to have the system in action, along the Gaza border, later this year. The manufacturer, Rafael, was offered a large bonus if they got the system working ahead of schedule. When Iron Dome was first proposed three years ago, it was to take five years (until 2012) to get it operational. In addition to the cash incentive, there's also the rockets still coming out of Gaza, and being stockpiled by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
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My Comment: There has been very little news on this successful program in the American press. Should I be surprised? .... no .... missile defense has gone political in Washington and any positive news on missile or (in the Israeli case) rocket defense would only undermine the case to not fund missile defense.
I know that the Israeli system is not a full blown missile defense platform, but their success (and the success of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System in the U.S.) gives a window to look at the future and realize what is possible. As a result .... the question that we in the U.S. should ask ourselves is .... are we willing to spend the money on it.
From my preliminary observations, I would have to say no. Budgetary deficits and allocation of resources elsewhere has resulted in budget cuts (and in some cases) program cuts on this project. Will this trend continue .... I honestly do not know.