C-Dome (Naval Iron Dome)
Naval variant of the Iron Dome system, integrated into ship-based vertical launch systems to provide warships with the same rocket, artillery, and cruise missile defence capability that the land-based system provides to cities. C-Dome launches Tamir interceptor missiles from a below-deck VLS (integrated into the Sa'ar 6 corvettes), guided by the ship's EL/M-2248 MF-STAR AESA radar. The system achieved a historic milestone in May 2023 when it successfully intercepted a cruise missile attack against an Israeli warship — the first known operational interception of a cruise missile by a ship-based Iron Dome. C-Dome integrates seamlessly with the ship's combat management system, providing an inner-layer defence complementing the Barak 8 area-defence missiles. The system can engage multiple simultaneous threats from different directions. Currently deployed on all four Sa'ar 6 class corvettes. C-Dome represents a unique capability not found in any other navy globally.
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- Adapts combat-proven Iron Dome technology to naval platform
- Provides 360° point defense for surface combatants
- Tamir interceptor cost-effective against rockets, UAVs, and cruise missiles
- Automated engagement in high-threat littoral environments
- Limited magazine depth in below-deck VLS
- Tamir designed for low-end threats; limited vs. supersonic anti-ship missiles
- Currently only deployed on Sa'ar 6 class
- Short range; complements but cannot replace area air defense
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SIGN INThe vertical launch capacity here provides mission flexibility that single-role warships simply cannot match.
The powerplant choice gives logistics planners flexibility in contested fuel environments.
Combat management system interoperability with allied platforms is where this design pays dividends in coalition operations.