Both the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps have tested out the advanced air defense system as an interim air defense solution.

The United States, a long-time ally of Israel, is eyeing the country’s Iron Dome air defense system with great anticipation. Just recently, the U.S. Army conducted testing of the Iron Dome, according to a statement by Rafael, the defense firm behind the system.

“The US Army, in conjunction with the Israeli Ministry of Defense’s Israeli Missile Defense Organization (IMDO) took a critical step toward fielding the first of two RAFAEL-made Iron Dome Defense System-Army (IDDS-A) batteries,” a Rafael statement explained. It added that “IDDS-A will defend supported forces within fixed and semi-fixed locations against sub-sonic Cruise Missiles (CM), Groups 2&3 Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), and rockets, artillery, and mortar threats.”

The U.S. Army conducted the test at their White Sands Missile Range, “demonstrating the capabilities of the Iron Dome Defense System-Army (IDDS-A).”

The test was a clear success. “US Army soldiers assigned to 3-43 Air Defense Artillery Battalion successfully detected, tracked, and intercepted multiple CM and UAS surrogate targets,” the Rafael statement explained. It added that “the testing prepares the system for U.S. operational forces use by ensuring it meets U.S. Army safety standards and that the system will effectively operate within the U.S. AMD architecture.”

“It’s important to understand that implementation for the U.S. is about the ability to integrate this system into our air defense picture,” said Maj. Gen. Brian Gibson, Director AMD CFT. “We need to integrate this into our U.S. architecture, and to give confidence to our regional commanders that we can integrate this system safely into what they have.”

“Once again, the Iron Dome has proven its effectiveness and operational capabilities in combat scenarios. As part of the U.S. Army’s operational training, American troops operated the system which functioned with optimal effectiveness against a variety of threats and intercepted targets from different ranges,” Brig. Gen. (Res.) Pini Yungman, Executive Vice President and Head of RAFAEL’s Air & Missile Defense Directorate, said.

“RAFAEL is proud to continue proving itself as a world leader in developing the most advanced defense systems, which have proven themselves time after time.”

The statement added that the U.S. Army “plans to field both Iron Dome Defense System-Army (IDDS-A) batteries as an interim cruise missile defense solution, while the US Army continues to acquire an enduring IFPC Inc2 system.”

It added that “future variants of the IFPC program include technology insertions such as directed energy, which will provide a critical protection capability against sub-sonic Cruise Missiles, Groups 2&3 Unmanned Aircraft Systems, and Rockets, Artillery, and Mortars threats.”

This test comes on the heels of a similar evaluation conducted last month by the U.S. Marine Corps and demonstrates the United States’ interest in the Israeli air defense system.

Caleb Larson is a multimedia journalist and defense writer with the National Interest. A graduate of UCLA, he also holds a Master of Public Policy and lives in Berlin. He covers the intersection of conflict, security, and technology, focusing on American foreign policy, European security, and German society for both print and radio. Follow him on Twitter @calebmlarson.

Image: Reuters.