Israel moves on Iron Dome improvement

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TEL AVIV, Israel, Jan. 30 (UPI) -- A series of trials of the upgraded of Israel's Iron Dome missile interception system have been successfully conducted by the country's military.

The trails to broaden the system's operational capacity and improve its capabilities against short-range missiles and rocket threats, were conducted by the Israel Missile Defense Organization, which is responsible for continued development of the defense system from Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Raytheon of the United States.

Earlier tests by the agency were conducted on an interception system called Magic Wand or David's Sling, IMDO said, and future tests will involve an upgraded model of the Tamir interceptor missile.

The current Iron Dome system, deployed to protect populated areas, is capable of intercepting and destroying missiles, rockets and artillery fired from a maximum distance of 45 miles. Israel and its industry partners are working to increase the system's range to as much as 155 miles and also add the capability to engage incoming threats coming from different directions simultaneously.