Iron Dome Design
In 2007, Israel commissioned the development of Iron Dome, choosing an Israeli contractor, Rafael, over the American giant Lockheed Martin. mPrest Systems, a small company based in a high-tech park in a suburb of Tel Aviv, was put in charge of programming the core of Iron Dome’s battle management system. Iron Dome went from the drawing board to combat readiness within less than four years, a remarkably short period of time for a weapons system designed from scratch, according to military experts.
| “ | There was no system like this, anywhere in the world, in terms of capabilities, speed, accuracy. We felt like a start-up | ” |
| —Eyal Ron, a manager at mPrest | ||
Testing
- July 2008: the Tamir interceptor missile underwent successful testing.
- March 2009: Israel successfully tested the missile defense system, though without yet actually intercepting an actual projectile.
- July 2009: the system successfully intercepted a number of rockets mimicking Qassam and short-range Katyusha rockets in a Defense Ministry test.
- August 2009: the IDF completed the establishment of a new battalion that will operate the Iron Dome system. The battalion is a part of the Israel Air Force's Air Defense Division. The system was to be first be deployed along the Gaza border and then along the border with Lebanon. The system was slated to start operating in mid-2010.
- January 2010: Iron Dome successfully intercepted multiple rocket barrages mimicking Qassams and Katyushas. Defense Ministry Director-General Pinhas Buchris stated that the system would ultimately "transform" security for the residents of southern and northern Israel.
- July 2010: The system successfully intercepted multiple rocket barrages mimicking Qassams and Katyushas. During the test, Iron Dome successfully determined which incoming rockets were threats and which were headed toward open fields. The system did not fire at the missiles which did not present a threat.
- March 2011: Iron Dome is declared operational by the IDF, and Defense Minister Ehud Barak authorizes deployment.
During the first stage of the Iron Dome's operational duty, the Israeli Air Force was to include a large number of soldiers from Sderot, citing high motivation among the city's pre-army youth to be part of the project. The 947th "Marksmen" Stinger Battalion of the Israeli Air Defense Network was chosen as the first unit to become familiar with and operate the Iron Dome.
Iron Dome Specifications
The system is designed to counter short-range rockets and 155 mm artillery shells with a range of up to 70 kilometers. According to its manufacturer, Iron Dome will operate day and night, under adverse weather conditions, and can respond to multiple threats simultaneously.
Iron Dome has three central components:
- Detection & Tracking Radar: the radar system is built by Elta, an Israeli defense company
- Battle Management & Weapon Control (BMC): the control center is built by mPrest Systems, an Israeli software company, for Rafael
- Missile Firing Unit: the unit launches the Tamir interceptor missile, equipped with electro-optic sensors and several steering fins for high maneuverability. The missile is built by Rafael.
The system's radar detects the rocket's launch and tracks its trajectory. Then, the BMC calculates the expected hit point according to the reported data, and uses this information to determine whether the target constitutes a threat. If so, an interceptor missile is fired to detonate the rocket far from the expected impact area.
| Iron Dome | |
|---|---|
| Type | Counter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar |
| Place of origin |  Israel |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2011–present |
| Used by | Israel |
| Wars | Gaza–Israel conflict |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Rafael Advanced Defense Systems |
| Designed | 2005–present |
| Manufacturer | Rafael Advanced Defense Systems |
| Unit cost | US$40,000 per missile |
| Produced | 2011–present |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 90 kg (200 lb) |
| Length | 3 m (9.8 ft) |
| Diameter | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| | |
| Detonation mechanism | Proximity fuze |
| | |
| Launch platform | Three launchers, each carrying 20 interceptors. |
