Israel’s Defense Ministry says in a statement that the US Marine Corps has successfully completed its first drill, during which it fired an air defense system incorporating the Iron Dome system.
The system tested is based on American radar and control systems, alongside Iron Dome interceptor missiles — known as Tamir — and portable launchers made by Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and American contractor Raytheon.
The statement says the exercise, during which the system was fully operated to intercept a series of targets, is a major step toward declaring a new Marines prototype operational.
“The Iron Dome interceptor, integrated into MRIC, is a highly reliable and combat-proven interceptor, with extensive operational experience accumulated over years of successful deployment in Israel.” The Marine Corps plans to field the system to each of its three low-altitude defense battalions between 2026-2028.
The Marine Corps is procuring SkyHunter under the Medium Range Intercept Capability cruise missile defense program, with the system also intended to provide air defense against other manned and unmanned aerial targets. The first SkyHunter battery is expected to be delivered to the 1st Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion in Hawaii in June 2025.
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