Iron Dome: How Effective Is Israel’s Strongest Air Defense System?

Iron Dome is by far Israel’s most robust air defense missile system. It has played a significant role in Israeli defense and security, keeping the country and its people safe from opponents’ attacks. In 2023, its capabilities were again tested with the recent Israel-Hamas encounter. 

Here, we’ve compiled all the information you need about Iron Dome, including its background and how it works. Read on to know more.

What is an Iron Dome?

Iron Dome is an air defense system that intercepts and destroys incoming rockets and attacks. The Iron Dome is a non-lethal, autonomous guidance and control system designed to intercept incoming missiles.

Designed by the Israeli government’s defense contractor,  Rafael Advanced Defence Systems, it has stood the test of time. Israel’s missile defense system has protected many people’s lives in various wars over the past decades.

Which Technology is used in Iron Dome?

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems leads the development of Iron Dome in cooperation with Raytheon Technologies. RTX, or Raytheon Technologies Corporation, is a prominent technological company headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. On the other hand, Rafael is a leading provider of advanced weapon systems in Israel. The two companies primarily collaborated to create the airspace defense system.

The three core components of the Iron Dome include the following:

1. A battlefield radar that detects oncoming missiles
2. A battle management computer (BMC) that analyzes the data from the rada
3. A missile firing unit (MFU) fires a quicker missile to intercept an approaching missile at a greater height.

The testing and evaluation of the iron dome has been successfully carried out between 2009 and 2010. Based on its range, Iron Dome’s radar works well between 2.5 miles and 43.5 miles (4 km to 70 km). Its MFU can fire different interceptor missiles, like the Tamir, which can stop threats fired from 4 km to 70 km away. The missiles’ key features include electro-optic sensors and several steering fins that can quickly maneuver with proximity fuse blast weapons.

The Iron Dome can intercept and destroy incoming rockets. But how does Iron Dome work? Here’s an ABC of how this air defense system works.

1. Radar detects incoming projectiles. The radar unit transfers approaching missile information to the command-and-control center. It can identify projectiles’ speed and trajectory within 4 to 70 km or 2.5 to 43 miles.
2. Predict and assess the missile’s route. Computers at the command center determine whether or not the missile will target inhabited and populated areas. If it identifies the missile will fall on a populated place, the launcher fires one of its 20 interceptor rockets. 
3. Intercept threat before it lands. If it is determined that an interception is necessary, the control system communicates with a launcher, which then fires a missile at the rocket, destroying it in airspace. When faced with many threats, the algorithm prioritizes missiles that threaten urban areas and infrastructure over those that threaten unpopulated areas or the sea. The Tamir missile in Iron Dome can destroy missiles fired from 4 to 70 km away. 

How effective is the iron dome?

Based on Israel’s authority, 90% is the expected Iron Dome’s success rate in intercepting threats. It means the device can successfully deflect roughly 90% of rocket fire from the adversary before reaching its targets. 

Since Israel first deployed the Iron Dome rocket defense system in 2011, it has successfully deflected thousands of rocket threats aimed at Israel from the Gaza Strip. However, the Iron Dome’s capability was recently tested with the unforeseen strike by Hamas militants on Israel. The surprise attack of Hamas came from the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023, and has rekindled the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. 

To fully understand the capacity of the Iron Dome, here we’ve listed its advantages and disadvantages.

Benefits and key features

• It has a radar that can accurately detect and intercept incoming short-range rockets. 
• It has a series of batteries, each containing three or four launchers, 20 missiles, and a radar.
• Its intelligent system can detect if the rocket will hit a populated area. However, it lets the missile land in an open space like the sea.
• It occurs all its work in airspace, resulting in less to no land damage.

Limitations and drawbacks

• If large numbers of rockets are fired at once, they may be overwhelmed, and some may get past.
• It prioritizes big, threatening missiles over smaller rockets like the Hamas microlights. Because of its design, it can potentially fail to intercept more minor rocket attacks.

Israel-Hamas War: Iron Dome in Action

Iron Dome helped intercept the initial fire of rockets launched from Gaza into Israel by Hamas last October 7, 2023. About 153 missiles were intercepted by the Iron Dome air defense system, while the rest fell short or landed inside Gaza. This unpredictable attack caused deaths and injuries in southern Israel.

Although the Iron Dome failed to stop all projectiles, it didn’t lessen the system’s effectiveness. With over a thousand missiles fired by Hamas, it overwhelmed the interceptors of Israel. The strikes by Hamas show how insufficient resources, such as a large number of potential threats, can cause even the most sophisticated air defense systems to fail. We can still say that Iron Dome is the future of the airspace defense system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who created the iron dome?

The original inventors of the iron dome are Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries. Because of this invention, the Israeli Air Force could use it for the first time in a combat intercept in April of 2011.

Does the U.S. have an iron dome defense system?

The United States and Israel have worked together as allies for many years. At Congress’s request, the U.S. Army purchased two Iron Dome systems. Following an agreement in 2019, Israel will provide the United States with two Iron Dome batteries in 2020 and January 2021.

Who makes iron dome missiles?

With RTX’s help, Israeli manufacturer Rafael Advanced Defense Systems manufactures iron dome systems with the U.S. helping in its development costs and replenishings while in service. I

How expensive is the iron dome defense system?

 A single unit costs somewhere between $40,000 to $50.000 not inclusive of the missile projectiles.