Home Europe Israel completes “C-Dome” live-fire trials on new Sa’ar 6 corvette

Israel completes “C-Dome” live-fire trials on new Sa’ar 6 corvette

C-Dome trials on Sa'ar 6 corvette
Photo: Israeli defense ministry

The Israeli defense ministry says it has wrapped up the first series of live-fire trials of C-Dome, a new variant of the Iron Dome, aboard its first Sa’ar 6 corvette INS Magen.

The C-Dome naval point defense system is designed to protect combat vessels against a large set of modern threats. The system is designed to handle saturation
attacks by engaging multiple targets simultaneously.

C-Dome consists of Tamir interceptors that are also found on Iron Dome systems, a modular vertical-launch unit (VLU), and a command & control (C2) component. According to Rafael, one of the companies involved in the system’s development, the system uses the vessel’s surveillance radar to detect and track threats, eliminating the need for a dedicated radar.

The C-Dome was developed by the Israel Missile Defense Organization in the Directorate for Defense research and development, together with the Israeli Defense Force and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. It joins several advanced systems in Israel’s multi-tier missile defense array, including the Arrow & David’s Sling.

According to the defense ministry, the series of tests simulated a number of advanced threats including rocket fire, cruise missiles & UAVs, which the ‘C-Dome’ is designed to successfully intercept.

“This live-fire test is an important milestone and demonstrates the operational capability of the Israeli Navy to defend the strategic assets and vital interests of the state of Israel against current and evolving threats,” the defense ministry said.

The trials took place aboard the new class of Israeli Navy Sa’ar 6 corvettes. As the country’s most advanced ship yet, SA’AR 6 will be in charge of protecting Israel’s 200-mile exclusive economic zone and gas platforms in the Mediterranean Sea. Based on the German Navy K130 design, SA’AR 6 ships incorporate stealth design features and measure 90 meters in length. They will carry an Oto Melara 76 mm main gun, vertical launch cells for Barak-8 surface-to-air missiles, and anti-ship missiles. They will also have torpedo launchers and a helipad and hangaring space for an embarked helicopter.

German shipbuilder thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) handed over four ships in the class to Israel between November 2020 and July 2021.