Iron Dome is Israel's anti-missile air defense system. Inspired by this technology, Israeli entrepreneurs Gadi Benjamini and Adi Naor Pomerantz have developed an innovative system to combat forest fires called FireDome.
The system, which will begin testing in Israel in May and in the United States in 2026, combines tactical defense and artificial intelligence tools to autonomously detect and suppress fires. It is designed to protect areas vulnerable to fires using capsules with environmentally friendly fire retardant and advanced detection systems.
When a danger alert is issued, a stationary launcher fires capsules that disperse fire retardant into the air, creating a protective barrier around properties or land, while at the same time, an AI-powered system detects and eliminates any specific fires that manage to overcome the first line of defense.
Benjamini, CEO of FireDome and a 14-year veteran of the Israeli army, said: “The goal is to protect property and assets in a similar way to how the Iron Dome protects neighborhoods by intercepting missiles. The smart capsules are programmed to open at specific locations, creating a kind of protective dome that blocks the advance of fire.”
Initially, the system is designed to protect up to 100 acres — ideal for small neighborhoods, vineyards and resorts — but in the future the startup is looking to expand its coverage.