Trump’s ‘Golden Dome’ missile defense plan was inspired by Israel’s multitiered defenses

JERUSALEM AP U S President Donald Trump s plan for a Golden Dome to protect the United States from long-range missiles was at least partly inspired by Israel s multitiered missile defenses Trump revealed the billion concept in the Oval Office on Tuesday saying it would put U S weapons in space for the first time and be would be fully operational by the end of his term in early though a U S official familiar with the effort announced it could take longer Israel s multilayered defenses often collectively referred to as the Iron Dome have played a key role in defending it from rocket and missile fire from Iran and allied militant groups in the conflict unleashed by Hamas Oct terrorist attack FILE Israeli Iron Dome air defense system fires to intercept a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip in Ashkelon Israel on Oct AP Photo Avi Roccah File The sophisticated system developed over decades with considerable U S encouragement 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 guaranteed but credit it with preventing serious damage and countless casualties Here s a closer look at Israel s 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 Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen and by Iran itself during two direct exchanges of fire last year David s Sling Also developed with the U S David s 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 ended with a ceasefire last year Related Articles South Africa s leader aims to salvage relationship with Trump in White House visit House GOP grinding ahead with Trump s big tax cuts bill but new review says it will add to deficit Justice Dept reviewing former New York Gov Cuomo over pandemic testimony AP source says Venezuela frees US Air Force veteran considered wrongfully detained his family says Hegseth orders new review of Afghanistan withdrawal and suicide bombing at Kabul airport Iron Dome This system developed by Israel with U S backing specializes in shooting down short-range rockets It has intercepted thousands of rockets since it was activated early last decade including volleys launched by Hamas and Hezbollah Israel says it has a success rate of over Iron Beam Israel is growing a new system to intercept incoming threats with laser equipment Israel has announced this system will be a match 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 while the other systems can run more than million per missile Iron Beam interceptions by contrast would cost a scarce dollars apiece according to Israeli leaders but the system is not yet operational