Rafael Advanced Defense Systems has handed over the world’s first “combat-ready” 100 kW laser weapon to Israel.
The powerful laser air defense system, known as Iron Beam, has been deployed by Israel in an attempt to reduce the cost of countering rockets, mortars and drones.
Capable of neutralizing airborne threats, the system costs a fraction of traditional interceptors.
According to the Israeli Defense Ministry, the system will be absorbed by the country’s air force and integrated into a multi-layered air defense network that includes Iron Dome, the Arrow missile system and David’s Sling.
The laser weapon system is specialized in targeting low-flying targets that can elude the radar-guided interceptors.
Defense Minister Israel Katz hailed the delivery as historic, adding: “It’s a game-changer, as expensive missiles would now not be used to intercept cheap threats.”
He added that instead of using missiles that cost up to $100,000 per interceptor, the combat-ready laser weapon will be able to do the job with just a few cents of electricity.
The ministry stated that the Iron Beam reached operational maturity after weeks of testing, during which it successfully shot down rockets, mortars, drones and many other airborne threats.
Israel’s air defense systems are already considered one of the strongest in the world, with an interception rate of around 90 to 95 percent; however, it faced difficulties against drones and low-flying targets. Iron Beam is expected to provide a major boost to Israel’s defense capabilities.
The development of the system was first announced in 2014 and it took almost a decade to reach implementation.
