"US Army scraps $1billion Iron Dome Project" Topic

After Israel refuses to provide key codes

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The US Army said it was curbing its plans to adopt the Iron Dome missile defense system due to concerns about its compatibility with existing US technologies, scrapping its plans to buy two more batteries and explore long-term integration of the Israel-developed system.
A central problem was Israel's refusal to provide the US military with Iron Dome's source code, hampering the Americans' ability to integrate the system into their air defenses.
Gen. Mike Murray, head of Army Futures Command, said the service identified a number of problems — including cyber vulnerabilities and operational challenges — during efforts last year to integrate elements of Iron Dome with the US Army's Integrated Battle Command System.
"It took us longer to acquire those [first] two batteries than we would have liked," Murray told the House Armed Service tactical air and land forces subcommittee on Thursday. "We believe we cannot integrate them into our air defense system based on some interoperability challenges, some cyber challenges and some other challenges."
Last year, the Army announced plans to acquire two Iron Dome batteries to provide US forces an interim cruise missile defense capability, as well as explore full adoption of the Israeli-developed system for a program called Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2-Intercept program.
The Army earmarked over $1 USD billion for the project to pluck select Iron Dome components and integrate them with US military's Integrated Battle Command System by 2023.
The Israeli Missile Defense Organization and the Army last August inked a deal for two Iron Dome batteries. Soon thereafter, according to sources, Army officials repeatedly requested Iron Dome "source code" — proprietary information detailing how the system works.
Israel supplied engineering information but ultimately declined to provide the source code the Army said it needed to integrate Iron Dome components with US systems.

The question is -'Would YOU trust the US Army and ALL its contractors to keep YOUR proprietary information safe, based on past performance of all those parties?'

I guess that's fair. The US and others don't allow access to source code for customers

At least Israel hasn't stolen American nuclear technology or resources…

Can't say I blame Israel.

"At least Israel hasn't stolen American nuclear technology or resources".

We don't know that, AND I suspect it IS classified.

I agree though, that I don't blame them for not sharing their source code. Really though, for that kind of money, it should be included in the deal, in order to ensure and aid future development.

A shame, since the system seems to work fairly well.

I imagine though, our people can do the same thing, given our missile defense tech and research.

There is not enough details in the press release. Was the source code(s) part of the contract? (Can't see the procurement of any system without provisions for servicing/integration info to allow for interface with existing systems. That must have been one of the main articles for the contract otherwise, it's purpose would be of limited value. This might be a "nice" way of saying that someone defaulted on the contract. Would you buy a car but not receive the key to operate it with?

Am not so quick to place blame on anyone based upon the article above. Seems the article was written to elicit some negative reaction that could potentially destroy the trust and any future contracts with both parties.

<quote>At least Israel hasn't stolen American nuclear technology or resources…</quote>
Sarcasm?

Perhaps the U.S. should just hold off on a couple billion in aid….. see if that helps change their mind.

Can't say I blame USA:

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