THE IRON DOME IN ISRAEL: A CLOSER LOOK


By bblouin
Israeli Minister of Defense Benny Gantz, Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper, and Israel Defense Forces Lt. Tovah Winick, an Iron Dome battery commander, “shake elbows” in lieu of a handshake, after a tour of the Iron Dome display, Tel Aviv, Israel, Oct. 29, 2020

The use of missiles may go back hundreds of years but modern examples began around the end of World War II. Today, missiles can unleash devastating blows, and modern technology requires mass attacks to make it through anti-missile technologies. The Iron Dome is the world’s most sophisticated defensive systems and a masterful display of engineering. However, the Israel Iron Dome isn’t infallible. Capable of saving countless lives over the years, in 2023, a surprise attack may have shown that the Iron Dome system has the same weakness as any other in the world. Related read:America's Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile Program: An Overview

What Is the Iron Dome?

Iron Dome, or Kippat Barzel, is a sophisticated mobile defense system containing advanced technology to defend the state of Israel from multiple enemies in the Middle East. Capable of detecting potential airborne threats using radar, the Iron Dome can intercept threats and neutralize them. This comes from advanced calculations, and the system is deployable on both land and naval platforms. Israel’s Iron Dome uniqueness comes from its ability to assess the trajectory of incoming projectiles, but also its ability to carefully evaluate whether they pose a danger to critical infrastructure or the safety of citizens. If the incoming target is seen as non-threatening, the system refrains from initiating a countermeasure, taking action only when their impact could result in significant harm or catastrophic consequences. This helps the Israeli Iron Dome prevent accidents with other potential targets such as airplanes. So far, the system has been very effective, albeit expensive. Featuring a 90% success rate, the Iron Dome uses Tamir missiles that cost tens of thousands of dollars with some estimates putting them at six figures. All in all, one full battery can cost around $100 million. Suggested read: Israel Gaza Conflict Is Already Gaining American Involvement

How Does the Iron Dome Work?

Unleashed in 2011, there are no fewer than 10 mobile batteries in the Israeli Iron Dome. Each battery uses around 20 Tamir interceptor missiles. Additionally, it is capable of covering attacks farther than 40 miles away and as close as two miles as well. So far, it has stopped thousands of missiles from Israel’s enemies. The technical makings of the system were created by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. Trucks navigate the batteries that have multiple components including the following:

  • ELM 2084 Multimission Radar (MMR): An advanced radar that finds threats that are incoming into Israel.
  • Battle Management & Weapon Control (BMC): A computer system developed by mPrest Systems that is used to detect whether or not incoming rockets are threats and which need to be prioritized.
  • Tamir Missiles and Launchers: Used for each battery where multiple launchers feature as many as 20 missiles. They can intercept incoming targets that are at low altitudes.

The air defense system from Israel uses the Dome but there is also DAVID’s SLING to combat larger rockets and short-range ballistics along with the Arrow-3 Weapon System that provides protection from medium-range missile attacks.

DAVID’s SLING Has Helped Evolve Israel’s Defenses

Originally the Magic Wand, DAVID’s SLING was created out of a collaboration between Rafael and Raytheon in 2017. Today, it helps create a more robust missile defense system helping the Iron Dome but from much farther distances. David’s Sling can intercept missiles between 25 and 180 miles away. The technology in David’s Sling also assess if a threat is real to avoid mishaps.

Has Hamas Figured Out Israeli Air Defenses?

Tensions have risen across the globe and the Palestinian-Israeli region is far from an exception. Hamas has launched multiple attacks in 2023. However, a major successful launch that had kidnappings, massacres, and various other attacks changed things altogether. Even with the blocking of rockets by the Iron Dome, thousands were sent. This led to the overwhelming of the system. Kippat Barzel was able to defeat 96% of the rockets fired from Gaza in May 2023, according to Israeli Defense Forces. But the October attack had a much different result. Allegedly, 5,000 rockets in 20 minutes came during the terrorist attack, though that figure came from Hamas. Israeli Defense Forces believe it to be a much lower number, around 2,200. Either way, thousands of people died and the ongoing destruction has just begun. But this is raising questions about the Israeli defenses, Hamas’ defenses, and any other group’s ability to overwhelm the anti-missile technology. Overloading any missile system is possible, and the events in the Israel-Gaza conflict are a modern example of doing so. The silver lining for Israel and its allies, such as the U.S., is the hope that such a large-scale attack would exhaust stockpiles for a period of time.

Does the U.S. Have an Iron Dome?

The comparison of the Iron Dome vs Patriot defense systems rages on, but does the U.S. military have both? While it’s impossible to verify Iron Dome usage in the American Armed Forces, multiple batteries have been created for the U.S. Army by Rafael. Read next: How the Missile Defense System Protects America


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