Why the U.S. Needs Its Own Shield: The Case for an American Iron Dome

The Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and the Arrow systems safeguard Israel’s borders. These could also protect America. .

While U.S. Navy carrier strike groups keep warding off missile attacks launched by the Houthis in the Red Sea, it’s increasingly clear how potent Iran’s influence is across the region. Iranian-backed factions spread throughout the Middle East have demonstrated their ability to interrupt worldwide oil distribution in the Red Sea through regular assaults involving missiles, drones, and rockets aimed at targets such as Israel, commercial vessels, and American naval forces at sea—a pattern that has been consistent since 2023.

The effectiveness of Israel in defending against attacks initiated by the Houthis in Yemen, Hamas in Gaza, and even direct assaults from Iran stems from its advanced air defense infrastructure. Systems like the Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and the Arrow 2/Arrow 3 collectively safeguard Israel’s boundaries. This impressive array of missile-defense technologies has garnered significant interest from the Trump administration, which aims to create an "American Golden Dome" inspired by Israel's Iron Dome for protecting both domestic territories and international installations.

How does Israel’s Iron Dome Function?

Israel's Iron Dome is highly esteemed for its advanced capabilities. Ever since it was deployed in 2011, the missile-defense system has protected numerous individuals through its effective interception of rockets with an impressive accuracy level of 90%. Given these statistics, the Iron Dome stands out as unparalleled among defensive military technologies aimed at saving lives. Iron Dome was created by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, an Israel-based company, with support from the United States, which provided financial backing for the development of this defensive technology. This system aims to neutralize short-range threats such as rockets within a distance span of 2.5 to 90 miles, covering most types of weaponry. launched Directed at Israel by its antagonistic neighbors, these threats are neutralized by the air defense system.

What about David's sling and Arrow 2/Arrow 3?

Although the Iron Dome undoubtedly merits its renowned status, this advanced missile-defense system operates collaboratively with others to protect Israel’s boundaries. Serving as an intermediate defensive level between the Iron Dome and the Arrow 2/Arrow 3 systems, Israel employs additional defenses for comprehensive border security. David’s Sling Is responsible for engaging medium- to long-range rockets that exceed the range capabilities of the Iron Dome. This critical component of Israel’s air defense network includes a vertically launched projectile, a battle management console, an EML-2084 fire control radar, and notably, the Stunner interceptor missile. As stated by its developer, Raytheon, the Stunner has demonstrated effectiveness against approximately 92 percent of global theater ballistic missile threats.

The newest tier to Israel’s layered air defense system is the Arrow . First employed in combat in 2017, this family of anti-ballistic missiles is designed to engage threats both in and outside the atmosphere. In 2024, Israel’s Defense Ministry director-general Eyal Zamir concluded that the Arrow 3 achieved the first-ever missile interception in space, making it the “central layer” in thwarting ballistic missile barrages.

Co-developed by the United States and Israel, both Arrow systems are considered to represent the best of their kind available across the globe. Arrow 2 uses a two-stage, solid-propellant booster to reach speeds up to Mach 9 (times the speed of sound). Its Arrow 3 successor incorporates many of the same functions, however, the newer anti-ballistic missile system works at faster speeds, longer ranges, and higher altitudes. As detailed As part of the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the Arrow 3 relies on thrust vector control for both its booster and kill vehicle to enable precise maneuvers. This capability allows the system to cover an estimated range of about 2,400 kilometers. The distinguishing feature of the Arrow 3 is its singular rear thruster; unlike other kill vehicles that employ multiple small divert thrusters for course corrections, the Arrow 3 uses this single powerful thruster instead. features A gimbaled system, which directs itself towards the target as the vehicle alters its orientation, instead of using a fixed seeker.

Against What Threats Would America’s Golden Dome Protect?

Although Israel’s proximity to its adversaries is much closer than America’s, the basic function of the Iron Dome and its related air defense partners is equally imperative for both nations. Iran, China, Russia, and North Korea all possess advancing intercontinental ballistic missile programs which could pose an existential threat to the United States if not properly countered.

Furthermore, the air defense system was capable of defending against a nuclear electromagnetic pulse (EMP). strike Although this kind of weaponry may not be widely acknowledged by the general populace, it probably represents one of the greatest potential threats that an enemy of the United States might consider when plotting an attack against the country. According to definitions provided, U.S. Naval Institute “An electromagnetic pulse (EMP), resulting from the electromagnetic emission during a nuclear detonation due to Compton-recoil electrons and photoelectrons produced by photon scattering within the material of the nuclear device or nearby surroundings, can occur. Essentially, enemies of the US such as China might employ satellites, fast-moving missiles, and EMP weaponry to disable the American electrical infrastructure. Should this situation arise, widespread disorder would follow since nearly all aspects of daily life in the US would be affected."

In March, President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. would seek to develop a comparable "Golden Dome" system aimed at safeguarding the nation against ballistic missile attacks. As stated by Steven Morani, who currently serves as the undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, progress To accomplish this goal is already well under way. As stated in the effort to safeguard our nation and following President Trump’s executive order, we are collaborating with the industrial sector and addressing supply chain issues related to establishing the Golden Dome,” Morani explained.

Given that Israel is approximately the same size as the state of New Jersey, the Golden Dome project would undoubtedly be significantly bigger (and thus more expensive) compared to its Israeli equivalent. Taking into account the rising geopolitical tensions, tensions Found worldwide, notably in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and the South China Sea, intensifying reliance on U.S. aerial defense initiatives notwithstanding their significant expenses is potentially crucial for safeguarding national security.

About the Author: Maya Carlin

Maya Carlin The National Security Writer for The National Interest serves as an analyst at the Center for Security Policy and previously held the position of Anna Sobol Levy Fellow at IDC Herzliya in Israel. Her work has been featured in numerous outlets such as The NationalInterest, Jerusalem Post, and Times ofIsrael. Follow her onTwitter: @MayaCarlin Carlin has had more than 1,000 articles published over recent years covering different defense topics.

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