Trump's Announces 'Golden Dome' Plan   05/21 06:04

   

   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 announced the $175 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 2029, though a U.S. 
official familiar with the program said 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. 7, 
2023, attack.

   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'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.

   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 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, would cost a few dollars apiece, according to 
Israeli officials -- but the system is not yet operational.