Israel’s multilayered air defense systems prevented what could have resulted in significant casualties and damage across the country from Tuesday’s Iranian missile barrage.

Iran fired about 180 ballistic missiles at Israel on Tuesday night, sending civilians scrambling for bomb shelters. Many of those were intercepted by Israel’s air defense systems, and they had the help of the United States as well. The United Kingdom also had two Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jets and a Voyager air-to-air refueling tanker nearby trying to deter further aggression.

Israel employs a layered air defense strategy, which includes different interceptor systems designed to stop different types of projectiles that fly at different speeds and altitudes. The systems detect an incoming missile, and officials then decide whether to launch an interceptor at it or let it land in an unpopulated area.

Israel most frequently relies on the Iron Dome, which is designed to take out rockets and missiles fired from nearby at low altitudes, primarily from Gaza by Hamas. It uses the Iron Dome and David’s Sling, another air defense system that is meant to target faster missiles, to intercept projectiles fired by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.

Israel has used all of the systems over the past year to intercept incoming fires that have originated from Gaza, Lebanon, Iran, Yemen, Syria, and Iraq. Israel has used the Arrow system to intercept projectiles from Yemen during the conflict.

Iron Dome

The Iron Dome, which was jointly developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries, is designed to intercept short-range rockets and artillery shells that are fired from up to about 43 miles away. The system became operational in 2011.

The Iron Dome intercepts more than 90% of its intended targets, according to Rafael.

David’s Sling

David’s Sling, which Rafael and Raytheon jointly developed, became operational in 2017. It’s designed to intercept medium to long-range missiles and has a range of 25 to 186 miles. Raytheon’s website describes David’s Sling as a system that provides “terminal-phase, hit-to-kill defense against tactical ballistic missiles, medium- to long-range rockets, enemy planes, drones, and cruise missiles.”

Arrow 2 and 3

The Arrow 2 and 3 systems have the largest range, believed to be about 1,500 miles, according to ABC News. They’re meant to handle much longer-range ballistic missiles that could travel at altitudes beyond the Earth’s atmosphere. The Arrow 2 system became operational in 2000, and Arrow 3 did the same in 2017.

In Tuesday’s attack, Israel used David’s Sling and Arrow 2 and 3 air defense systems, which are capable of intercepting medium-range and long-range ballistic missiles.

This was the second time over the last year that Iran launched hundreds of projectiles at Israel, and both attacks were thwarted almost entirely due to both Israel’s air defense systems and the aid of allies. In April, Iran launched about 300 drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles at Israel, an overwhelming majority of which were intercepted.

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A main concern from experts was whether Israel’s air defense systems could be overwhelmed if its enemies fired hundreds of projectiles at it simultaneously from different countries and targets all over Israel. Its ability to stop both of these attacks demonstrates the capabilities of its air defense systems.

Israeli leaders have credited the systems with saving countless lives but note that the air defense systems are not perfect.