Dr. Danny Gold: Israel has a very good defense system against all aerial threats
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עברית (Hebrew)
Brig. General (Ret.) Dr. Danny Gold is considered by many as the father of the Israeli Iron Dome rocket interceptor system. Dr. Gold acted against all odds in 2005 at a time when the program lacked support. It was his belief in this revolutionary defense system that has resulted in the saving of many lives during the ‘Pillar of Defense’ operation in Gaza as well as other incidents since then.
Danny Gold will be one of the key speakers in the Aerial Threats conference organized by INSS and I-HLS .
Iron Dome was developed and became operational in record time but Gold does not accept the use of the term ‘short cut’ in that context. “It was an idea that I believed in and once we received the green light the technical people involved in the project gave everything they had in order to complete its’ development in less than three years.
We talk a lot about the threat of rockets and missiles, as well as the strengths of the air forces of enemy countries. The question is -are we sufficiently equipped to protect ourselves against them?
Gold says that Israel is well protected against all kinds of aerial threats including small UAV’s carrying explosives , as well as rockets , missiles and of course fighter aircraft.
Israel’s Rafael in cooperation with Raytheon is currently developing the ‘David’s Sling’ system aimed at intercepting long range rockets.”This system will also be capable of intercepting aircraft,” Dr. Gold revealed. He also contends that the Israel multi layered defense system comprising of rocket interceptors and Arrow ballistic missiles interceptors will provide the country with a very high level of protection. “There is no such thing as a hermetic defense system but we are and will be well protected”, stated Dr. Gold with surety.”
Dany Gold also revealed that the Iron Dome anti rocket system is being upgraded continuously and said that it’s “super performance in actual operation can be improved even more.”
When Iron Dome was conceived, some experts were opposed to its development preferring the introduction of a laser based interceptor. Gold says that at the present time any talk about such a system is baseless.
“The technology was not ripe when we started the development of Iron Dome and it is not ripe now either”, added Dr. Gold. He believes that in the future when the technology is available ‘the laser system’ may become operational as a backup system but not a primary defense one.
“Laser systems have several inherent problems that make them ideal as complementary systems, but not as primary defense. For example, a laser cannot penetrate clouds, so it is rendered ineffective in inclement weather. The laser can’t handle rapid salvos. It is also limited as it can only offer pinpoint protection which means it can’t offer protection for a wide area,” concluded Dr. Gold.
