After a series of tests carried out by the Israeli Ministry of Defense and Rafael, the Iron Dome missile defense system has been successfully upgraded. PHOTO: AFP.

Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system successfully passed a series of tests demonstrating new operational capabilities, the Israeli Ministry of Defense reported on Thursday afternoon, according to Israel’s NRG.

The tests were carried out over the past few days by the Defense Ministry and contractor Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.

The experiments were designed to expand and improve the performance and capabilities of Iron Dome in the face of an unprecedented range of threats, according to the report. The experiments, which ended successfully, resulted in an upgrade of Iron Dome’s capabilities.

The Iron Dome missile defense system intercepts short-range missiles in midair and has achieved proven success in limiting damage from Gaza rocket fire. It is the first, and only, of its kind around the world, and is produced by Rafael, in collaboration with Elta, the Ministry of Defense, and the Israeli Air Force.