Iron Dome strikes back: Israel and its many air defenses

Israel's Iron Dome is a crucial component of its defense system, designed to protect the country from short-range rockets and artillery shells.

Developed in collaboration with the United States, the Iron Dome has been operational since the early 2010s and has intercepted thousands of rockets, including during the current conflict with Hamas and Hezbollah. Israel claims a success rate of over 90%.

The Iron Dome system works by detecting incoming rockets using radar, which then calculates their trajectory and speed. If the rocket is determined to be on a collision course with a populated area, the system launches an interceptor missile to destroy the incoming threat mid-air.

In addition to the Iron Dome, Israel has a multi-layered defense system that includes the Arrow, David's Sling, and Patriot systems, which are designed to intercept long-range, medium-range, and short-range missiles, respectively. These systems have been developed in collaboration with the United States and have proven effective in intercepting incoming threats.