In March 2011, Israel launched a new missile defense system and called it “The Iron Dome”. Jointly funded by the United States of America, this all-weather system was developed in partnership between Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Aircraft Industries. The idea behind the development of the “Iron Dome” was to intercept and destroy short-range rockets, artillery shells and mortars fired from distances of up to 45 miles, and to protect civilian and military installations in the path of such projectiles.[1]
The “Iron Dome” project was initiated in 2006 after suffering defeat at the hands of Hezbollah. During the 34 days conflict which is also at times referred to as the Hybrid War of 2006, the Hezbollah rocket force fired between 3,970 and 4,228 Katyusha rockets at a rate of more than 100 per day into Israel. Out of these rockets approximately 23% hit cities and other important installations including military targets.[2]
