AUSA 2023: US Army operating two Iron Dome batteries with MDTF

The Israel Defense Forces has operated an Iron Dome in the region to intercept rocket attacks. Since the outbreak of the most recent conflict, the US Army has declined to say if it will provide its own Iron Dome batteries or Tamir missiles in support of its ally. (Rafael)

The US Army's Iron Dome mobile, short-range air-defence system is operating with one of the service's Multi-Domain Task Forces (MDTFs) based in the Pacific, General James Rainey, commander of Army Futures Command, announced 9 October.

Designed by Israeli company Rafael, the system has been used in Israel to defend against rocket attacks, but the army is not saying where its two fully operational batteries are operating. However, Gen Rainey confirmed the systems are used by the first MDTF, which is based out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.

The two operational batteries are complemented by almost two full basic loads of Tamir missiles, Doug Bush, assistant secretary of the army for acquisition, logistics, and technology, told reporters at an army modernisation roundtable at the Association of the US Army (AUSA) 2023 annual conference. “We have two operational units in good condition, so were that choice made, that's something the army could certainly execute if we're told to.”

Gen Rainey added that the service is using the Iron Dome's operations in the theatre now as part of its modernisation process. “While we're working on this, we don't have to wait to start thinking about training and organisation and how to fight with a holistic system,” he said during the roundtable. The MDTFs in the service are some of the first units receiving emerging technologies such as the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW), which is expected to be delivered to soldiers in the coming months.