Israeli defense firm Rafael unveiled its Drone Dome, an anti-drone variant of its Iron Dome anti-rocket weapon this month. Pictured, an Israeli soldier walks near an Iron Dome defense system that is used to intercept rockets from Gaza in Ashdod, Israel, July 21, 2014. File photo by Debbie Hill/UPI |
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WASHINGTON, April 13 (UPI) -- Israeli defense firm Rafael unveiled its latest anti-drone defensive system, which the company claims can track, target and destroy enemy unmanned aircraft within a two mile radius.
The weapon system, dubbed the Drone Dome, made its debut at the Latin America Aero & Defence Security 2016 expo in Brazil this month. The weapon utilizes a next-gen radar tracking and electronic jamming system to provide "a new end-to-end defense solution designed to detect, identify, track, and neutralize drones," according to a company press release
The new Drone Dome is a variant of the company's Iron Dome anti-rocket system, which has been in use by the Israeli military to counteract rocket attacks along its borders.
In addition to its tracking and jamming capabilities, the Drone Dome also includes 360-degree circular coverage ideal for tracking and destroying targets in rural or urban combat scenarios.
News of the new weapon comes as Iranian media reported its newest drone, named "Hamasseh" or "Epic" in English, conducted its first surveillance flights during the exercise in Sistan and Baluchestan Province in western Iran.
Iranian media reported the drone flew as part of a three-plane formation and {link:carried out several high-altitude reconnaissance flights: "https://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2016/04/12/Irans-new-aerial-drone-makes-maiden-flight/1381460481042/" target="_blank".
The Iranian military's smaller, tactical Mojahr-1 and Ababil-5 drones as well as the high-altitude Shahed-129 surveillance drone flew alongside the Hamasseh during the exercises, IRGC's Ground Forces Brigadier General Mohammad Pakpour said.
Aside from long-range surveillance operations, the drone is also reportedly designed to carry out airstrikes as part of its anticipated multi-mission package.
