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Israel-Palestine-Jordan
$680m US fund for IsraelÂ’s Iron Dome
2012-04-22
WASHINGTON: A House panel is boosting money for IsraelÂ’s Iron Dome missile defense system by $680 million amid an election-year fight over whether President Barack Obama is doing enough for the longtime Mideast ally.
The issue isn't how much they spend, it's how much is needed, and how much can be spent properly and usefully. This is typical "we spend more because we care" Washington mentality.
The Republican-controlled Armed Services Committee, which begins crafting a fiscal 2013 defense budget next week, plans millions more for the system designed to intercept short-range rockets and mortars, according to a congressional aide.

The money would be in addition to the $205 million that the Obama administration and Congress agreed to in a special request in the 2011 budget and would cover several years, through fiscal 2015.

An increase in money for the program was expected as the Pentagon said last month that it would work with Congress to steer more funds to a system that has proven effective in intercepting rockets and mortars fired by Palestinian fighters from Gaza.

“Supporting the security of the state of Israel is a top priority of President Obama and Secretary (Leon) Panetta,” the Pentagon said last month. “The Department of Defense has been in conversations with the government of Israel about US support for the acquisition of additional Iron Dome systems and intends to request an appropriate level of funding from Congress to support such acquisitions based on Israeli requirements and production capacity.”
Posted by:Steve White

#8   didn't they vote for Obama?

No they didn't, actually. There are quite a few dual citizens over there, and they overwhelmingly voted against him.
Posted by: trailing wife   2012-04-22 19:28  

#7  Why give the Muslim Brother Hood 1.2 billion and Israel only 680 million didn't they vote for Obama?
Posted by: Spusomble B. Hayes7430   2012-04-22 18:14  

#6  
Posted by: Bright Pebbles   2012-04-22 13:41  

#5  as long as we are doing blue sky concept, I have thought that drones might be used to launch small (5 to 10 pound) interceptors. That way, the missile might actually be hit before it even gets to home territory. Having the remnants of their own missiles fall on them would be quite a morale depressant for the Paleos.

If the missile is missed by the drone interceptors and the missile is projected to hit populated area, the Iron Dome interceptors could be used.
Posted by: Lord Garth   2012-04-22 12:44  

#4  With a railgun the projectile would be a simple aluminum rod. If it misses so what.
Posted by: Steve White   2012-04-22 11:18  

#3  I can't help thinking a railgun is the answer. You could even included a parachute, so projectiles that miss could float back to earth and be re-used.
Posted by: phil_b   2012-04-22 04:28  

#2  And can be carried by one person.

They're going to need a bazillion of them.
Posted by: gorb   2012-04-22 01:16  

#1  the $680 is for three years of R,D and production

rumor is that both Israel and the US are working to reduce the size and cost of the intercept vehicle;

the current model is about 200 pounds but the thought is that a 80 pound vehicle would work almost as well and be much less expensive
Posted by: lord garth   2012-04-22 00:17  

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