The Iron Dome system for intercepting short-range rockets will be operational by the summer of 2010, according to the Israeli Arms Development Authority (Rafael), according to a report Friday by Haaretz. A prototype passed a test last month, another test is scheduled for the summer and the first actual system is to be delivered at the end of the year.

The first battery will defend the area near Sderot, with another one likely to be installed near Ashkelon. The Elta factory of the Israel Aerospace Industries is currently upgrading the Iron Dome's radar system so that it can identify rocket launches from a greater distance.