Print Friendly, PDF & Email

ARIE EGOZI

Recent tests and simulations will help to determine the configuration of the combined air defence system, comprising the BARAK-8 missile and C-DOME system, to be carried by the Israeli Navy’s SAAR-6 corvettes which are now being built in Germany. The navy says that the use of both systems will be defined in real time by the threat, though, “In some scenarios both interceptors will be launched “An Israeli source said. The SAAR-6 corvettes are mainly built to protect the Israeli Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which includes huge gas reservoirs in the Mediterranean.

Collaboration

The BARAK-8 is made by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and according to company, it provides the ultimate protection against a variety of aerial platforms and munitions including aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aircraft and sea-skimming missiles. It is based on a sophisticated missile (developed in collaboration with Rafael), state-of-the-art phased array multi mission radar, two-way data link and flexible command and control system. The system’s radar is manufactured by IAI subsidiary ELTA Systems and supports air defence missions, delivering accurate, high quality, real-time arena situation picture and extracts low Radar Cross Section (RCS) targets even in the toughest environmental conditions. It is a digital Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar System which incorporates new and advanced technologies.

BARAK 8 can operate in day and night conditions, in all weathers and successfully deals with simultaneous threats, even in severe saturation scenarios. The system has a very short reaction time and a fast missile vertical launch capability with 360 degree coverage from a system which optimises coordination between the missile and batteries using an advanced broadband communication network. The missile deals with short, medium, and long range threats, where its interconnectivity among the various ships in the naval task force enables it to be a multi-layer air and missile defence System of Systems. A source said that a typical ship installation includes four vertical launchers each carrying eight missiles, which have an effective range of 70 km, while IAI is developing an extended range version that will have an add on booster giving the missile a 150 km range.

A proven system

The C-DOME Naval defence system, made by Rafael, is based on the combat proven IRON DOME and is designed to effectively protect combat vessels against a large set of modern threats. C-DOME handles saturation attacks by engaging multiple targets simultaneously and the reaction time, according to Rafael, is very short and enables automatic and semi-automatic engagements. C-DOME components include a multi-round launcher assembly loaded with vertically-launched canistered interceptors, installed under the ship’s deck, while the system utilises the ship’s own surveillance radar and does not require a dedicated Fire Control Radar, with Weapon System Command and Control seamlessly integrated with the ship’s Combat Management System, facilitating system operation. Rafael emphasises that C-DOME uses the combat-proven IRON DOME interceptor that has already achieved more than 1500 successful intercepts, which are reportedly maintenance-free, and stored in a sea-proof canister, with up to eight interceptors able to be loaded into a modular Vertical Launcher Unit.