What To Know About Israel’s Iron Dome
By RICHARD MILNER
History - Science
Israel's Iron Dome is a defense network of 10 batteries of surface-to-air missile launchers strategically placed around Israel. It effectively shields citizens from destruction.
The "dome" has a range of areas, and the system intercepts whatever seeks to infiltrate this region. Each of the dome’s 10 missile batteries houses three to four missile launchers.
Batteries detect incoming projectiles like missiles, mortar shells, and drones from a distance of 2.5 to 43 miles and send information about the targets to a command center.
If an incoming projectile is headed for an area with no people, it’s allowed to pass through the dome. If not, the dome shoots a missile to intercept the incoming attack.
If there are multiple incoming projectiles, the system determines an order of relevance and first intercepts the ones that will do the most damage to people and property.
Each missile battery is mobile and can be transported to where it’s needed most. When set into place, the entire system can be activated and ready in a matter of a few hours.
The dome’s Tamir missiles are long and thin — 10 feet long vs. 6 inches in diameter. They’re less than 200 pounds each, and 24 pounds of each missile’s weight is its explosives.
The dome is the world’s most advanced surface-to-air defense system. It was developed in tandem with the U.S. by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries