The National newspaper Ma'ariv posted an interesting story by reporter Achikam Moshe David:-
Pregnant woman in 9th month directed deployment of Iron Dome battery to defend Tel Aviv. Maariv 30.11.2012 features a photo of HIla, the 28 year old head of the testing division responsible for the testing and transfer of Iron Dome batteries to the Air Force who is in her 9th month of pregnancy (expecting to give birth next Sunday).
The battery was completing a series of testing at the testing field when Israel assassinated Ahmed Jabri. The team realized that they could close the gap between testing and deployment and in the course of 60 hours were able to deploy the Iron Dome battery to defend Tel Aviv.
Hila is an aeronautical engineer married to an Air Force officer. When her husband’s commander told him he was sending him home to be with his wife as she was about to give birth, he replied that his wife wasn’t home.
With the remarkable success rate of interceptions, the Israeli developed “Iron Dome” system is attracting attention from many corners of the globe.
As of today 18th November, here are a few facts about the system:=
Cost of the project app $0.65 billion
Cost per interceptor $50,000 (note that 2 are fired for each planned interception)
Success rate currently 90%, over 265 missiles intercepted.
Number of units currently operating 5 ( planned to have 10-15 covering the whole country)
The fifth newly installed battery – Friday - hit the rockets launched at Tel Aviv, a long range rocket
This is important because:
a) Iron Dome was theoretically set up for short range rockets only
b) This sends a message to Hizbollah with a much larger and more sophisticated arsenal
And what does Hizbollah possess?
Quoting Dr Ronen Bergman who uses Western intelligence sources:
• 30-40,000 short range 107mm rockets
• 42,000 122mm – range of just over 30km
• 5-6,000 mid to long range
• 50-100 Scud D. Range 700 km. Currently under wraps in Syria
