Israel's Iron Dome is holding up under attack, but the pressure is mounting as the conflict with Iran intensifies.

On Tuesday, Iran launched an unprecedented attack on Israel by firing 181 ballistic missiles. The entire nation took shelter for an hour, but fortunately, there were no casualties or injuries due to Israel's air defense system.

The system has been vital in safeguarding Israeli residents, but some missiles reached air force bases and the Mossad headquarters, although they did not inflict "significant harm," as stated by the IDF chief of staff.

Beyond Iron Dome, Israel's air defense strategy includes systems like David's Sling and Arrow 2 and Arrow 3, which provide defense against medium- and long-range missiles. These systems have been crucial in the current conflict. Israel Air Force Reserve Brig. Gen. Doron Gavish explains that the multi-layered defense structure was designed to handle a wide range of threats. "We’ve used David's Sling to intercept rockets from Lebanon, and Arrow 3 to counter ballistic missiles from Iran. It’s not just Iron Dome – it’s a network of systems working together."

Since the start of the war on Oct. 7 last year, Israel's Iron Dome operators have been busy keeping the country safe, although it wasn't extensively used against Iran.

Iron Dome has been exceptional, but, as any defensive mechanism, prolonged, high-intensity combat has affected it. It was not constructed for a conflict of this duration and intensity, as acknowledged by Hilla Haddad Chmelnik, an aerospace engineer who played a crucial role in its development.

Israel's Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology's former director-general, Haddad Chmelnik, stresses the importance of continuous innovation to stay ahead of emerging threats.

The escalating conflict between Lebanon and Israel and Hezbollah highlights the urgent need for the system, according to her. In the past week, over 300 rockets, missiles, and UAVs were launched against Israel from Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Although Hamas's rocket stockpile in Gaza has been significantly reduced, the situation in Lebanon is markedly different. Hezbollah is estimated to possess around 140,000 rockets, which are much more advanced than those used by Hamas and can penetrate much further into Israel.

Iran poses a more manageable threat compared to Lebanon, as launching a large-scale missile attack from Iran is a complex undertaking that can be detected and preemptively targeted," Haddad Chmelnik says. "Preparing to launch a ballistic missile 1,500 kilometers requires significant preparation, which is visible to satellites. This provides us with the opportunity to strike preemptively and defend ourselves.

Israel's missile-defense systems, constructed in collaboration with the U.S., are capable of withstanding Iranian attacks, according to Haddad Chmelnik. She emphasizes that Israel has a significant second-strike capability and is in a better position than Iran in terms of countering the missile threat. As a result, Iran is cautious and has more to lose than to gain.

Iron Dome, which was first deployed in 2011, is a cutting-edge technology that distinguishes itself with its innovation and simplicity. According to Haddad Chmelnik, the system's unique features set it apart from other defense systems. The technology was developed with the support of the U.S. and is now being purchased by other countries for their own defense needs.

Iron Dome's success has drawn international attention, with countries such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Finland purchasing Iron Dome components or batteries. As Haddad Chmelnik explains, "Israel is the most protected country in the world when it comes to air defense, and now we are seeing countries across the globe investing in it."

Iron Dome, the Israeli defense system, has proven its effectiveness in intercepting thousands of rockets, despite initial skepticism surrounding its creation.

Iron Dome interceptor missiles cost around $50,000 each, while some of the rockets they are designed to destroy can cost just a few hundred dollars. Maintaining one Iron Dome battery, which requires dozens of soldiers to operate, costs about $100 million. Currently, there are approximately 12 Iron Dome batteries spread out across the country, each capable of defending up to 60 square miles, providing vital coverage in strategic areas.

"Half of Iron Dome operators are women who agree to extend their service to three years to accommodate the long period of training. The experience these soldiers have gained under fire is invaluable, but the pressure is enormous. It’s not like a video game. You’re making real-time decisions on which rockets to intercept. These soldiers know they’re protecting their families, their cities – sometimes even their own homes," Brig. Gen. Gavish says.

The ongoing conflict in Gaza and Lebanon has put the Iron Dome system and its operators under immense pressure, with over 20,000 rockets fired since October 2023. According to Haddad Chmelnik, the system's designer, Iron Dome was never intended to handle such prolonged strain. It was designed for brief, intense battles, not for a year-long war.

Gavish acknowledges that no defense system is foolproof and that the longer a conflict lasts, the more pressure it puts on the system. Some enemy rockets have managed to slip past the defenses in northern Israel, resulting in destruction.

As Iron Dome successfully intercepts rockets, our enemies are observing, adapting, and developing more complex threats, such as UAVs and drones, which are more challenging to intercept.

Despite its effectiveness in saving lives, the future of Iron Dome is uncertain as the war progresses and maintaining the same level of defense becomes increasingly difficult, according to Brig. Gen. Gavish.

Although Iron Dome has been successful in identifying individual threats, Haddad Chmelnik stresses that no defense system is foolproof. She explains that Iron Dome is designed to adapt quickly to evolving threats, and while it continues to play a crucial role, Israel's long-term security will depend on continued technological advancements.

Iron Dome operators continue their mission, making complex decisions in real-time to protect cities and families, according to Brig. Gen. Gavish, who says they are the key to its success.