UAV-Killing Iron Dome Eyed as Cheaper Option to Patriot
Nov. 17, 2014 - 09:45AM | By BARBARA OPALL-ROME
http://www.defensenews.com/article/20141117/DEFREG/311170010/UAV-Killing-Iron-Dome-Eyed-Cheaper-Option-Patriot

TEL AVIV — Israel has a generational commitment to its Patriot force,
cemented by growing interoperability with sister systems from US European
Command and significant support elements for US batteries stocked here and
available to Israel in time of need.

US Patriot air defense brigades provide the backbone of a joint task force
tested in biennial Juniper Cobra drills and honed by routine year-round
cooperation.

“We work jointly during our routine so that in times of war, we will be able
to do our job as best we can,” said US Air Force Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson,
in his first visit here this month as commander of the joint force
designated to support Israel with manpower and weaponry if asked.

But at some $2 million per shot, defense and industry leaders are eyeing
Iron Dome as a cheap alternative to Patriot in niche missions against
unmanned threats.

Unit costs for the Iron Dome’s Tamir missile are classified. But based on
interviews at the start of the program, sources estimate a high-end price
tag of $100,000.

Similarly, neither Raytheon nor Israel’s Defense Ministry agreed to provide
unit costs for the Patriot Advanced Capability-2 Guided Enhanced Munition
missiles comprising most of Israel’s interceptor inventory. Unofficially,
one MoD source cited $2 million to $3 million as his “conservative
estimate.”

Based on the notional high-end cost of Tamir and the low-end estimate for
the Raytheon-built interceptor, Israel could save 95 percent — roughly $1.9
million — each time it launches the Iron Dome instead of Patriot.

Yosi Druker, general manager of the Air Superiority Systems Division at
Rafael, developers of the Iron Dome, said Patriot provides far broader
coverage. But in many operational scenarios against unmanned threats, Tamir
would be equally effective to the much larger and costlier Patriot, he said.

He said no material upgrades are needed to optimize Iron Dome for
drone-killing missions. “We’ve publicized this role from the beginning,”
Druker said.

A Defense Ministry official said serious studies must be done to determine
how Iron Dome could be integrated into the Air Force’s air defense net, or
whether other options could prevent mistaken Iron Dome fire on friendly
UAVs.

A senior Air Force officer said Wing 168 has not yet been asked to
participate in initial studies regarding drone-killing Iron Dome defenses.
But he said he has heard “talk” about a prospective lower-tier supplement to
Patriot anti-air forces and “totally agrees with the issue of
cost-effectiveness.”

As for concerns about mistaken targeting of friendly UAVs operating in the
same condensed airspace, the officer speculated that Iron Dome should be
able to receive the same “air picture” supporting Patriot interceptors and
air defense fighters.

Email: bopallrome@defensenews.com.