US successfully tests Iron Dome system it purchased from Israel

The US Army recently held a test of the Iron Dome air defense system it purchased from Israel several years ago, Israel’s Defense Ministry says.

During the trials — conducted at the US military’s White Sands test range — the system successfully detected, tracked, and intercepted cruise missiles, drones, rockets, artillery, and mortars, the ministry says.

The ministry says the tests are a “critical step” toward the US deploying the systems in the field.

“The testing prepares the system for US operational forces use by ensuring it meets US Army safety standards and that the system will effectively operate within the US [Air and Missile Defense] architecture,” a statement says.

Under a 2019 agreement, Israel sold two Iron Dome batteries to the United States, the first delivered in late 2020 and the second in January 2021. Since then, the US Army has been working to integrate the system into its air defense array.

The system was first tested by the US last summer, at the same test range.