First US-Made Tamir Missile for Iron Dome Delivered
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
The first Tamir interceptor missile manufactured entirely in the United States was delivered on October 7 to Israel's Ministry of Defense. This milestone, achieved at a joint Rafael-Raytheon facility in Arkansas, provides Israel with a crucial second production source for the Iron Dome system. The new plant will also produce the U.S. variant, SkyHunter, for the U.S. Marine Corps, enhancing joint defense capabilities and reducing reliance on a single production line.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- The first fully U.S.-manufactured Tamir missile for Iron Dome was delivered on October 7.
- The missile was produced at the R2S joint venture facility in Arkansas.
- This provides Israel with a second, independent production source for the vital interceptor.
- The plant will also produce the U.S. variant, SkyHunter, for the U.S. Marine Corps.
- The facility represents a $63 million investment and has a $1.25 billion contract.
- Iron Dome has successfully completed over 10,000 operational interceptions.
A historic milestone for Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system was reached on October 7, with the delivery of the first Tamir interceptor missile manufactured and assembled entirely in the United States. This marks the first time a complete Tamir missile, not just individual components, has been produced from start to finish at the R2S facility in North East, Arkansas, a joint venture between Israel's Rafael and American company Raytheon.
The missile was handed over to the Sky Dome Directorate within Israel's Ministry of Defense during a ceremony attended by Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Sky Dome Directorate Head Moshe Petal, senior representatives from the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA), and executives from both companies. Previously, even with significant U.S. funding for Tamir missiles, final assembly always took place in Israel. This new facility provides Israel with a second, fully independent production source outside its borders.
This dual-nation production capability is crucial for maintaining sufficient interceptor stock during prolonged conflicts, as existing supplies can deplete rapidly. The Arkansas plant, set to open in November 2025 with a $63 million investment, is expected to create dozens of local jobs and has already secured a substantial $1.25 billion contract to supply Tamir missiles, kits, and testing equipment to Israel.
The facility will also produce the SkyHunter, the U.S. variant of the Tamir missile, for the U.S. Marine Corps' MRIC program, meaning the same Israeli technology protecting Israel will soon also defend American forces. The Tamir missile, operational since 2011, is the core of the Iron Dome system, capable of intercepting rockets, mortars, drones, and cruise missiles within ranges of 4 to 70 kilometers. Iron Dome has achieved over 10,000 successful operational interceptions and serves as the lower tier in Israel's multi-layered defense system.
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