What is Israel's Iron Dome? Here's how the missile defense system works

The **Iron Dome** is an advanced **air defense system** developed by Israel to protect its citizens from short-range rocket and missile attacks. Here's how it works:

1. **Threat Detection**: The system uses radar to detect incoming rockets, artillery shells, or drones.
2. **Tracking and Analysis**: Sophisticated algorithms determine the trajectory of the incoming threat. If it's heading toward populated areas or strategic locations, the system calculates whether it poses a significant danger.
3. **Missile Interception**: If the threat is deemed dangerous, the Iron Dome launches an **interceptor missile**, which uses **kinetic energy** (no explosive warhead) to collide with the incoming rocket mid-air, neutralizing it.
4. **Ground-Based Launchers**: The system operates from mobile units, each with multiple interceptors, allowing flexibility in deployment.

### Key Features:

- **High Accuracy**: It distinguishes between threats targeting populated areas and those that will land harmlessly in uninhabited regions.
- **Rapid Response**: Interceptors are launched quickly to intercept threats within seconds.
- **Cost-Effectiveness**: It prioritizes intercepting only threats that pose a real danger, making it more economical.

The Iron Dome has been instrumental in protecting Israel from attacks, particularly during conflicts like those involving Hamas in Gaza. Its success rate is over 90% in neutralizing incoming projectiles.