Iron Dome: Key to Stronghold of Israel

Interceptor launched from Missile Firing Unit of Iron Dome missile system.

If a 20 feet rocket with 200 pounds explosives hits at your city, it will be horrible to imagine the mass destruction effect of the rocket. Such threat once occurred at Israel.  On Nov. 17, 2012 Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic organization, fired two 20ft Fazr-5 rocket from Gaza to the capital of Israel with 200pounds of explosives contained in the rocket’s warhead at a speed of Mach 2.8. But after 24 hours it was found that Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) had knocked out two Fajr-5s in mid sky. Isreal was able to get away from those mass destructive rockets only because of it’s Iron Dome Defensive system.

Iron Dome is defence mechanism which can intercept or block and destroy any projectiles like short-range rockets, artillery shells and mortars that are fired from distances of up to 45 miles. It can be operated effectively under any condition and can react to multiple threats simultaneously.

This defence system comprises of 3 things, i.e. Detection & Tracking Radar, Battle Management & Weapon Control (BMC) and Missile Firing Unit. The mobile radar unit continuously send receives signal related to an inbound rocket  and if any such threats are detected , it processes information to identify its type. By that time BMC vehicle would have made the assumption of the trajectory of the projectile and its projected impact area from the radar information. Then accordingly Missile Firing Unit fires an Tamir interceptor missile which will be consisting its own electro-optic sensors and several steering fins for high maneuverability. BMC will be continuously providing inbound missile trajectory updates to the interceptor missile it streaks toward its target. The interceptor missile is provided with its own radar system to close on the inbound missile. After getting close to the missile the inbound missile the warhead of the interceptor explodes which will shower the inbound missile in shrapnel, and ultimately destroying it. 

Israel's Iron Dome defence system stopped the Fazr-5 rocket

These three units of Iron Dome are collectively consisted in an air defense missile battery. To work effectively interceptor is needed to be deployed in a scattered pattern. So each launcher in Missile Firing Unit contains 20 interceptors which can be independently deployed and operated remotely through a secure wireless connection. So a single air defence missile battery system can protect an urban area of approximately 150 square kilometers.

Iron Dome interceptor's shrapnel showers intercepting the inbound rocket

This mechanism has successfully intercepted thousands of rockets nearly 85% of rockets fired from Gaza and shielded Israel from inhuman showers of rockets by Hamas. Rafael, the company that builds the Iron Dome's rockets has now collaborated with American firm Raytheon to upgrade Iron Dome system under a project called "David's Sling". This defence system is estimated to intercept rockets and other projectiles with ranges between 45 and 200 miles or more.