With a 90% intercept rate and capable of neutralizing missiles in seconds, the Iron Dome is the powerful technological barrier that prevents Israel from being devastated by massive attacks, facing challenges such as firing 5.000 rockets in just 20 minutes.
Imagine living in a place where, at any moment, a missile could fall from the sky. It sounds like a scene from a movie, but for many Israelis this is reality. To deal with this, Israel developed the Iron Dome, an air defense system that is a true technological masterpiece. But how does it work? Is it really infallible?
The Origin of the Iron Dome
The Iron Dome was born out of necessity. Since the 2000s, groups like Hamas have been launching missiles at Israeli cities, exposing the population to constant risk. Between 2000 and 2008, around 8.000 projectiles hit Israeli territory. It was in this context that General Daniel Gold proposed the system. Despite initial skepticism, the project went ahead with support from the Ministry of Defense and companies like Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. In 2011, the Iron Dome became operational.
How does the Iron Dome work?
The logic behind the system is ingenious and direct. It is based on three main components:
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Radar: Detects and tracks enemy missiles.
Control Center: Calculates the missile's trajectory and decides whether it poses a threat.
Tamir Missile Launchers: They intercept projectiles that could reach populated areas.
Interestingly, if the system calculates that the missile will fall in an uninhabited area, it does not act. Why? To save expensive resources. After all, each shot from the system costs more than R$350!
Why is the Iron Dome so efficient?
With an interception rate of around 90%, the Iron Dome is a true invisible wall. It can operate in any weather conditions and is mobile, allowing its adaptation to different regions. However, this efficiency comes at a price, literally. The high cost of maintenance and operation raises doubts about its long-term sustainability.
To address its economic and strategic challenges, Israel is developing the Iron Beam laser defense system. In addition to being cheaper, it is incredibly fast and effective against short-range threats. While the Iron Dome can deal with projectiles from 4 km away, the Iron Beam covers shorter distances, complementing the current system.
The challenge of massive attacks
For all its sophistication, the Iron Dome struggles when overwhelmed. In recent attacks, Hamas fired some 5.000 missiles in just 20 minutes. Even a such an advanced system has limits, highlighting the need for continuous innovation.