Iron Dome : Israel’s Anti-Missile System
Iron Dome, Israel’s anti-missile system recently intercepted over 5,000 rockets launched from Gaza, a narrow strip that is home to 2.3 million Palestinians.
- Iron Dome is Israel’s air missile defense system that can defend against short-range rockets, intercepting them in the air above the state.
- It is capable of successfully handling multiple rockets at a time.
- Developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries, the system became operational in March 2011.
- The Iron Dome functions by detecting, analyzing, and intercepting varieties of targets such as mortars, rockets, and artillery.
- It is powered by missile-defense batteries.
- It has all-weather capabilities and is able to function night or day and in all conditions, including fog, rain, dust storms, and low clouds.
- It is able to launch a variety of interceptor missiles.
- It is designed to shoot down missiles with a range of about 40 miles or less.
- It also has the ability to be moved, either onto ships or across land, to better suit defense needs.
- It must be reloaded to continuously intercept incoming missiles.
