A Raytheon–Rafael Advanced Defense Systems facility in Camden, Arkansas, has delivered its first fully US-manufactured Tamir interceptor to Israel. The delivery represents a major step towards establishing a second production source for the Iron Dome air defence system. Although the US has supplied components for Tamir production for years, the Camden plant is the first facility outside Israel capable of manufacturing complete interceptors. Its production capacity is expected to accelerate deliveries and strengthen US-Israeli missile defence cooperation. The facility will also manufacture SkyHunter, the US version of Tamir, for the US Marine Corps’ Medium-Range Intercept Capability system. Developed by Rafael with support from Raytheon, Tamir uses radar guidance, a command datalink and a blast warhead to intercept rockets and other short-range threats at distances of 4–70 kilometres (2–43 miles).
