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.
![Rafael Advanced Defense Systems logo](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="200" height="60" viewBox="0 0 200 60"><rect width="200" height="60" fill="%23111"/><text x="100" y="38" font-family="Arial" font-weight="bold" font-size="20" fill="%23c8a84b" text-anchor="middle">RAFAEL</text></svg>)
- 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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