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Israel’s multilayered defenses, often collectively referred to as the 鈥淚ron Dome,” have played a key role in defending it from rocket and missile fire from Iran and allied militant groups in .

The sophisticated system, developed over decades with considerable U.S. support, is capable of detecting incoming fire and deploying only if the projectile is headed toward a population center or sensitive military or civilian infrastructure. Israeli leaders say the system isn’t 100% guaranteed, but credit it with preventing serious damage and countless casualties.

Here鈥檚 a closer look at Israel鈥檚 multilayered air-defense system:

The Arrow

This system developed with the U.S. is designed to intercept long-range missiles. The Arrow, which operates outside the atmosphere, has been used to intercept long-range missiles launched by and by Iran itself during last year.

David鈥檚 Sling

Also developed with the U.S., David鈥檚 Sling is meant to intercept medium-range missiles, such as those possessed by Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group. It was deployed on multiple occasions throughout the war with Hezbollah, which last year.

Iron Dome

This system, developed by Israel with U.S. backing, specializes in shooting down short-range rockets. It since it was activated early last decade 鈥� including volleys launched by Hamas and Hezbollah. Israel says it has a success rate of over 90%.

Iron Beam

Israel is developing a new system to intercept incoming threats with laser technology. Israel has said this system will be a game changer because it would be much cheaper to operate than existing systems. According to Israeli media reports, the cost of a single Iron Dome interception is about $50,000, while the other systems can run more than $2 million per missile. Iron Beam interceptions, by contrast, , according to Israeli officials 鈥� but the system is not yet operational.

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