Iron Dome - 10 things to know with detail
- 1. What is Iron Dome? Iron Dome is a mobile all-weather air defense system developed by Israel to intercept and destroy short-range rockets and artillery shells fired from distances of 4 to 70 kilometers away.
- 2. How does Iron Dome work? Iron Dome uses radar to detect incoming threats and calculates their trajectory. If a missile is heading towards a populated area or strategic target, the system launches an interceptor missile to destroy the incoming threat in mid-air.
- 3. Cost and development Iron Dome was developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries, with funding from the Israeli government and the United States. Each interceptor missile costs around $50,000 to $100,000, while the entire Iron Dome system is estimated to cost around $50 million.
- 4. Effectiveness Iron Dome has been highly effective in intercepting and destroying incoming threats. It has a success rate of around 90% in intercepting rockets and artillery shells fired from Gaza and Lebanon.
- 5. Operational history Iron Dome was first deployed in 2011 and has since been used in several conflicts, including the Gaza War in 2012, Operation Protective Edge in 2014, and the recent conflict with Hamas in May 2021.
- 6. Range and capabilities Iron Dome can intercept rockets and artillery shells with a range of 4 to 70 kilometers. It is capable of engaging multiple threats simultaneously and has a quick response time to incoming projectiles.
- 7. International interest Several countries have expressed interest in acquiring Iron Dome systems for their own defense needs, including the United States, Poland, and India. The U.S. has already deployed Iron Dome batteries in military bases in the Middle East.
- 8. Limitations While highly effective against short-range threats, Iron Dome is not designed to intercept long-range missiles or ballistic missiles. It also has limited coverage area and cannot protect against all possible threats.
- 9. Integration with other systems Iron Dome is often integrated with other air defense systems, such as the David's Sling and Arrow systems, to provide a layered defense against a wide range of threats.
- 10. Future developments Israel is constantly working to improve and upgrade the Iron Dome system, with plans to enhance its capabilities, increase its range, and develop new technologies to counter evolving threats.