The Raytheon Company has received a contract award from Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. valued at $149.3 million, to provide components for the Tamir interceptor used in the defensive Iron Dome Weapon System. The amount represents about two thirds of the special funding of $225 allocated by the US administration to replenish Israel’s arsenal of Iron Dome interceptors, following Operation “Protective Edge” where Iron Dome systems intercepted over 735 rockets fired at Israel.
[ismember]This is the first major Iron Dome contract RAFAEL is awarding a US subcontractor. Due to the rapid pace of the system’s development and acquisition, the Iron Dome program, that won overwhelming support within the administration and Capitol Hill, has sofar focused on rapid acquisition and spiral development of the system’s capabilities. Designed as an affordable weapon, the Tamir interceptor was designed to cost about $50,000 each, far below comparable weapons. As a result of the production efficiencies already implemented, the cost of components is not expected to further reduce by the second sourcing, but make the program more ‘digestible’ to US lawmakers. Congress demanded more spending to be made in the USA. “Raytheon will utilize its extensive technology resources and supplier network to provide a second source of supply for essential Iron Dome interceptor components.” Raytheon announced.
Raytheon has been trying to sell the Iron Dome to the US and overseas, but sofar the marketing of the system, both by RAFAEL and Raytheon, has not yielded success, since only few countries are in need for its unique counter rocket capabilities.[/ismember]
The award builds upon a co-marketing agreement the two companies have had in place for Iron Dome since 2011. “The partnership between the Missile Defense Agency and the Israeli Missile Defense Organization has been extraordinary,” said DiDi Yaari, chief executive officer of Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. “We’re very appreciative of the U.S.’s support for this life-saving system. Maintaining Iron Dome’s supply gives Israelis great peace of mind.”
“Iron Dome has proven itself time and again by protecting Israel’s population from incoming rockets, artillery and mortars,” said Dr. Taylor W. Lawrence, Raytheon Missile Systems president. “The sourcing of Tamir interceptor components in the U.S. will go a long way to ensuring sufficient volumes of available Tamir missiles for Israel’s defense.”
With more than 1,000 successful intercepts, Tamir is the only combat proven counter rocket, artillery, and mortar interceptor available for U.S. and coalition partners today.
