Iron Dome undertakes an unusual task: shooting down an Israeli drone
The Israeli Defense Forces ended up shooting down one of their own drones, as reported by the Military Portal on Facebook. This action was necessitated by a technical malfunction with the drone, resulting in its remote control being lost. The drone was subsequently intercepted over Lower Galilee using a missile from the Iron Dome system. Let's take a closer look at the Israeli air defense system responsible for this.
For the first time, the Israeli Defense Forces turned to the Iron Dome to shoot down one of their own drones. The type of drone involved has not been specified, according to the Military Portal. However, it is established that the interception was conducted over Lower Galilee with necessary precautions and the reason behind the decision was a technical glitch in the drone.
Guarding Israel: The Role of the Iron Dome
Designed as a SHORAD system (short range air defense), the Iron Dome forms part of Israel's anti-missile shield. Along with its naval counterpart, the C-Dome system, it offers the lowest layer of defense. The following graphic provides a more detailed explanation:
The Israel-based company, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, is behind the development of the Iron Dome. The inaugural tests of this system were conducted in 2008. By March 2011, the Israeli Defense Forces had fully integrated this solution. The Iron Dome was designed to counter very short-range rockets and 155 mm artillery projectiles having a range of up to 43.5 miles under all weather conditions.
Of note, the Iron Dome is capable of detecting, analyzing, and intercepting a variety of threats. These include mortar shells, maneuverable rockets, and unmanned aerial vehicles. The system's main components include:
- EL/M-2084 radar,
- BMC control center, and
- Tamir anti-missile launchers.
The Iron Dome has earned a solid reputation over the years. As highlighted by Army Technology, within a decade of operation - counting from the moment of its implementation - the Iron Dome has intercepted over 2,500 targets, boasting an efficiency rating of approximately 90 percent. The service adds that the Iron Dome plays a critical role in the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip. As per reports from Army Technology, there are currently at least ten Iron Dome batteries in operation, each housing between 60 and 80 intercepting rockets.
