A Raytheon-Rafael Advanced Defense Systems facility in Camden, Arkansas, has delivered its first fully US-made Tamir interceptor to Israel, marking a milestone in efforts to establish a second production source for the Iron Dome air defense system.
The US has supplied components for Tamir production for years, but the Camden facility is the first outside Israel capable of producing complete Iron Dome interceptors. The plant is intended to accelerate deliveries and strengthen US-Israeli missile defense capabilities.
It will also produce SkyHunter, the US version of Tamir, for the US Marine Corps’ Medium-Range Intercept Capability system.
Developed by Rafael with Raytheon support, the Tamir intercepts rockets and other short-range threats at ranges of 4 to 70 kilometers (2 to 43 miles) using radar guidance, a command datalink, and a blast warhead.
“Israel’s multi-layered missile defense array, and Iron Dome in particular, has repeatedly demonstrated in recent years its crucial role in saving lives and reducing damage from a wide range of threats,” Israel Missile Defense Organization Director Moshe Patel reportedly said.
“As part of IMDO’s efforts to accelerate production across all missile defense systems, this new production line represents a significant step in strengthening the shared production capabilities of Israel and the United States.”
Rafael Executive Vice President and Head of the Air and Missile Defense Division Shlomo Toaff said: “We are proud to have turned this facility into a working production line. For the customers who depend on Tamir, that means another reliable source. For the US Marine Corps, it supports SkyHunter. For Rafael, this is how we want to grow in America: Israeli engineering, American production, each making the other stronger.”