Recently Israel’s Iron Dome defense system experienced a malfunction. The missile actually turned around to destroy Tel Aviv and destroyed the hospital there. This incident occurred on Sunday and the video has gone viral since Monday 6 November 2023. The video shows that the defense system did not move against Lebanon’s rockets. The rocket which came from South Lebanon reacted quickly and was quite close.
Iron Dome Experiences Malfunction
Before the missile destroyed buildings in Tel Aviv, the missile circled in the sky. According to CNN, the missile that damaged local buildings did not cause any casualties. Meanwhile, Israel has this defense system which is spread throughout Israel. The purpose of the Iron Dome is to protect critical infrastructure from the threat of missiles that can travel up to 43 miles. Based on a report from i24, the Sderot area under Israeli control is now a ghost town because the defense system no longer exists. All residents in the city of Sderot have been evacuated.
The Iron Dome is a missile defense system developed and used by the State of Israel. It is designed to intercept and destroy short-range and incoming rockets, artillery shells, and mortars that pose a threat to populated areas in Israel. The system has played a critical role in protecting Israeli civilians from rocket attacks, particularly during conflicts with various militant groups in the region. Key features and facts about the Iron Dome system include:
Development and Deployment of Iron Dome:
The Iron Dome system was developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, an Israeli defense technology company, with support from the Israeli Ministry of Defense and the U.S. government. It became operational in 2011 and has since been deployed in various parts of Israel.
Intercepting Threats:
Iron Dome is designed to detect, track, and intercept incoming rockets and artillery shells that are launched from the Gaza Strip, southern Lebanon, or other neighboring areas. It is particularly effective against short-range rockets and mortar rounds, with a range of up to about 70 kilometers (43 miles).
Components:
The Iron Dome system consists of three main components: a radar system, a battle management and control unit, and multiple interceptor missile batteries. The radar system identifies incoming threats and provides targeting data to the missile batteries. The interceptor missiles are designed to destroy the incoming threats in the air.
Effectiveness:
Iron Dome is known for its high success rate in intercepting and neutralizing incoming threats. It uses sophisticated tracking and guidance technology to assess the trajectory of the incoming rocket or mortar and target the interceptor missile to destroy it in the air. The system’s ability to discriminate between threats headed for populated areas and those that will land in uninhabited regions helps minimize civilian casualties.
International Collaboration:
The United States has provided financial support and technology transfer to Israel for the development and maintenance of the Iron Dome system. The system’s success has also generated interest from other countries, leading to potential export opportunities.
Operational Use: The Iron Dome has been deployed in various conflicts and confrontations involving Israel, most notably during conflicts with Hamas in the Gaza Strip and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. It has been credited with preventing significant damage and casualties during these conflicts by intercepting a large number of incoming rockets and missiles.
The Iron Dome system has become a significant part of Israel’s defense strategy, providing a critical layer of protection against rocket threats and contributing to the safety of its citizens. Its effectiveness and success in intercepting incoming rockets have made it a notable and influential development in the field of missile defense. However, no human creation is perfect, including Israel’s defense system. This is proven by a malfunction in the defense system which has just gone viral on social media.