Jerusalem – A Look at Israel’s “Iron Dome” Missile Defense

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    An Israeli Iron Dome missile is launched near the city of Be'er Sheva, southern Israel, to intercept a rocket fired from Gaza Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012. Israel bombarded the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip with nearly 200 airstrikes early Saturday, the military said, widening a blistering assault on Gaza rocket operations to include the prime minister's headquarters, a police compound and a vast network of smuggling tunnels. (AP Photo/Ahikam Seri)Jerusalem – In four days of fighting against Gaza-based militants, Israel has used a missile-defense system called “Iron Dome” to intercept rockets fired at populated civilian areas. It says the new home-grown system has been a tremendous success. As of Saturday evening, the military said it had shot down some 240 incoming rockets, more than half the number of projectiles launched into Israel since Wednesday.

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    Here’s a quick look at the system:

    -Produced by Israeli-based Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Iron Dome is meant to shoot down rockets and artillery shells with ranges of up to 70 kilometers, or 45 miles. It has been operational since 2011. Officials say it has a roughly 80 percent success rate.

    -How it works: The system detects launches of rockets and quickly determines their flight path. If it is headed toward populated areas or sensitive targets, it fires an interceptor with a special warhead that strikes the incoming rocket within seconds. Rockets headed toward open areas area allowed to land.

    -Currently, five Iron Dome batteries are deployed in Israel. Most are located in the south near Gaza. A fifth battery was deployed outside Tel Aviv on Saturday, two months ahead of schedule. Hours later, it shot down a rocket headed toward Tel Aviv.

    -Missiles cost around $40,000 a piece. In 2010, the U.S. provided $200 million to expand development. Additional funding is currently being considered, with $70 million already allocated for the 2012 fiscal year.

    -The system is part of what Israel calls its “multilayer missile defense”. It is meant to protect against the tens of thousands of short-range rockets possessed by militants in the Gaza Strip and Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon. Israel has also deployed its “Arrow” missile defense systems for long-range threats from Iran. The military says its new “David’s Sling” system, being developed by Rafael to stop medium-range missiles, will be activated by 2014.


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    7 Comments
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    Mark Levin
    Mark Levin
    11 years ago

    Iron dome??? NO!!! Its Yad HaShem!!

    nathaderweise
    nathaderweise
    11 years ago

    The real guardian of Israel nevr slumbers ofr sleeps; however, we have to merit his protection.
    look for additional opportumities to perform acts of kindness and charity. Help and give priority to the elderly and the infirm. Be honest in all transactions.

    ShameOnYou
    ShameOnYou
    11 years ago

    Fool, hashem gave them the brains and knowledge to create the iron dome, you never say the water you drank satiated your thrirst cause it was hashem? comon!