In October 2021, the US Army deployed a "Iron Dome" system at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam. This operation is known as the 'Iron Island Operation' and will serve as a temporary solution for cruise missile defense. At present, the US military is conducting tests on the "Iron Dome" system deployed in Guam, which is expected to continue until December.

In 2019, the United States purchased two sets of "Iron Dome" systems from Israel for $373 million. At the end of 2020, the United States received its first "Iron Dome" system; In January 2021, the United States received the second "Iron Dome" system. Since its acceptance, the US military has been committed to integrating the "Iron Dome" system into its own air defense camp and conducted its first test in the summer of 2021.

This deployment operation meets the requirement of deploying the "Iron Dome" system to the operational area by the end of 2021 as proposed in the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act. The 94th Air Defense and Anti Missile Command of the Army is responsible for supervising this "temporary experimental deployment".

Soldiers and equipment from the 43rd Air Defense Artillery Corps from Fort Bliss Army Base in Texas were also deployed to Guam along with the Iron Dome system. So far, the artillery regiment has been using the "Iron Dome" system for more than half a year of training. In addition, soldiers from the 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade stationed in Japan will also come to support this mission.

The Army spokesperson pointed out that the focus of this experiment is to collect data related to the maintenance and deployment of the "Iron Dome" system, as well as how to integrate the "Iron Dome" system with the existing air defense and anti missile system (i.e. the "THAAD" system deployed in Guam since 2013). There are currently no plans to conduct live fire testing of the Iron Dome system in Guam

The US military will not purchase more Iron Dome systems, but plans to incorporate the components of the system into the Army's Indirect Fire Protection Capability (IFPC) system aimed at striking cruise missiles, drones, rockets, and shells.

The "Iron Dome" system is a short-range air defense and missile defense system developed by Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems company, mainly used to defend against targets such as rockets, shells, mortars, aircraft, helicopters, and drones.

The "Iron Dome" system began development in February 2007 with the aim of developing a rocket defense system to intercept Palestinian Qassam rocket attacks. The "Iron Dome" system was equipped to Israeli forces in 2011 and successfully intercepted rockets in actual combat. As of early 2019, Israel has been equipped with 10 sets of "Iron Dome" systems. Given Israel's small size and frequent conflicts in its geopolitical environment, the "Iron Dome" system was designed with a focus on addressing the weaknesses of traditional air defense weapon systems such as intercepting uncontrolled rockets and shells, and has reliable interception capabilities under all-weather and complex weather conditions.

A set of "Iron Dome" system includes one EL/M-2084 multi mission radar, one fire control center, and three launchers, each of which can carry 20 "Tamir" missiles, intercept at a distance of 18 kilometers and a proximity of 4 kilometers, with a system response time of less than 15 seconds. It can cover a defense area of 150 square kilometers, be towed and maneuvered by trucks or trailers, and can be quickly deployed within 12 hours.

In recent years, Israel's Rafael company has been upgrading its "Iron Dome" defense system, enhancing its anti small drone capabilities while also increasing its ability to shoot down low altitude cruise missiles. The "Iron Dome" system deployed by the US military this time not only can defend against targets such as rockets, shells, mortars, aircraft, helicopters, and drones, but also adds the ability to intercept low altitude cruise missiles. From June to August this year, the US military also verified the capability of the "Iron Dome" system during test launches at the White Sands shooting range.

In response to the US Indo Pacific Command's request to upgrade missile defense capabilities by 2026, the Missile Defense Agency has applied for $78 million in the 2022 fiscal year budget to develop the Guam Defense Capability Project, with the aim of building an integrated air defense and anti missile capability in Guam. The US Indo Pacific Command hopes to introduce a 360 ° sustained air and missile defense capability in Guam. In addition to deploying the "Iron Dome" system in Guam, it also suggests deploying a land-based "Aegis" system as a solution. At present, the US Department of Defense is evaluating optional solutions for Guam's integrated air defense and missile defense architecture to protect Guam from the threat of advanced missiles from adversaries. After deploying the "Iron Dome" system in Guam, it can to some extent defend against threats such as drones, cruise missiles, and cruise missiles. Meanwhile, continuous testing of the "Iron Dome" system will enhance its interoperability with the "THAAD" system and improve its ability to respond to complex threat targets.

Source: Ministry of Aerospace Defense