David G:

I’ve asked you this before, but received no reply. Where did you get the idea the Israel has the fourth largest army in the world? For a population of some 7 or 8 million, 25% of which do not serve in the armed forces, this is quite an impressive, if not unbelievable, achievement.

“…rockets fired by those under occupation or blockade that are lucky to hit anything important”

As stated earlier, there is no occupation in Gaza, there hasn’t been for many years. I have also provided links to statements by both PA and Hamas official, as well as a first hand description by an Egyptian journalist, all stating that for all intents and purposes there is no blockade or siege of Gaza.

Iron Dome is certainly a success story and a global game changer, regardless of your political views.

Avw,

Since Gaza is as free as a bird, how does one gain entry into this zone?

http://wikitravel.org/en/Gaza

Oh, and there's this.....just to keep things rolling...hardly conducive to any real effort towards peace.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-12-01/us-says-israeli-settlement-plans-counterproductive/4402412

AVW, "Argue not with fools, frauds and fanatics. Seek instead better companions!"

I guess one good thing about Iron Dome is that it uses its firepower to destroy incoming projectiles, rather than destroying the densely populated areas on the ground from which they are fired. I guess we only have IDF footage and say-so to go by, but this might mean that Palestinian mosques and schools are now a little safer. Or it might not. In that regard, surely Iron Dome is a step in the right direction? It treats the rockets and missiles as the target, rather than the people firing them. While some would argue that the rockets will keep coming as long as they have people to fire them, it could also be argued that when the rockets become completely ineffective, Hamas will see no point in sending them over the border.

Nwesflash, a Goliath is already using it.
A least, compared to the Palestinians Israel is a Goliath.
Anthony
http://www.observationpoint.com.au

Hi Jay

I agree Trophy is an impressive defence system. However I think the IDF and other advanced militaries will be making more use of unmanned systems such as Guardium.

See:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdDzUP2heC0

If the IDF had needed to enter Gaza I think a flotilla of unmanned vehicles would have preceded the troops to identify and help kill threats before exposing IDF personnel to danger.

BAE systems are also working on their Black Knight unmanned ground combat vehicle technology demonstrator.

See:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Knight_(vehicle)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRDs__6dFsE

Apparently the US army expects one third of its combat and logistics vehicles to be unmanned by 2030. I think that's a ridiculously conservative estimate.