Iron Beam (laser weapon for intercepting mines and drones)

History

2024: Israel's $0.5 billion purchase of laser air defense system

On October 28, 2024, the Israeli Ministry of Defense announced the signing of agreements with Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Elbit Systems for the supply of a laser air defense system. The value of the contracts is about 2 billion new Israeli shekels (approximately $536 million at the exchange rate as of the specified date).

We are talking about the Iron Beam complex, which will complement the existing Israeli air defense system. The laser installation has an effective range of hundreds of meters to several kilometers. The system is designed to destroy short-range missiles, artillery and mortar shells. In addition, Iron Beam can be used to defeat relatively small unmanned aerial vehicles.

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REUTERS/AMIR COHEN

Iron Beam uses a fiber laser to generate a laser beam to destroy an aerial target. Rafael describes the installation as a 100 kW product. The main advantages of directed energy weapons over conventional air defense systems are low shot costs, unlimited launches, lower operating costs and a smaller number of personnel required to use the installation. In particular, it is alleged that in the case of the Iron Ray, the cost of one shot is about $5 against $60 thousand for the Iron Dome.

This agreement marks a new era - the era of a laser defense system, "said Eyal Zamir, Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Defense.

Iron Beam units will be operational during 2025, he said. It is noted that these will be the first such systems around the world. It is assumed that directed energy weapons will become an effective new element in Israel's existing multi-level defensive platforms.^[1]

2023: Use to Shoot Down Missiles

In mid-October 2023, information appeared that the Israeli Ministry of Defense decided to accelerate the development of an air defense (air defense) laser complex called the Iron Beam. The system is used to intercept missiles launched from the Gaza Strip.

The Iron Beam, developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, is designed to protect against rockets, artillery and mortar attacks by destroying relevant ballistic targets during their flight. In addition, drones can be affected at distances from hundreds of meters to several kilometers. To do this, a high-power laser beam (up to 100 kW) is used, acting on the target for several seconds. The platform combines a detection radar, a control station and two laser installations.

The Israeli Ministry of Defense decided to accelerate the development of a laser air defense complex called the Iron Beam

The Iron Beam is designed to complement the Iron Dome missile air defense system, not replace it. The key advantage of laser weapons is the small cost of firing: it is only a few dollars against $40- $50 thousand when launching an interceptor rocket. In addition, the laser installation has unlimited ammunition and requires less calculation compared to classic air defense systems. Another advantage is high mobility. At the same time, there are disadvantages: efficiency decreases in bad weather and when the distance to the target increases.

Israel intends to adopt the Iron Ray in service in 2024-2025. The use of the complex is expected to strengthen the country's multi-level air and missile defense system. Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Benet notes that the new military system not only repels enemy attacks, but also imposes an economic burden on him.^[2]

2022: Building laser weapons to intercept mines and drones

On April 18, 2022, Rafael announced the successful testing of Iron Beam laser weapons in various conditions against threats on steep trajectories, including UAVs, mortars, missiles and anti-tank missiles. These weapons should complement the Israeli air defense system - the Iron Dome.

Due to its ability to intercept incoming missiles with sophisticated radar-guided anti-missile tracking system, the Iron Dome has had significant success in Middle Eastern conflicts. But the system also has a number of drawbacks. The Raketas that form the basis of the system cost more than $100 thousand for each shot, in addition, the system can hardly cope with incoming threats at close distances of less than 4 km.

Israel has developed laser weapons to intercept mines and drones. It will complement the "Iron Dome"

Unlike missiles, the Iron Beam is a fiber optic laser that can aim at ultra-high speed targets and destroy targets within five seconds at distances of up to 7km. The laser power was not disclosed, but according to preliminary forecasts, it should be several hundred kW. Each laser application will cost about $1 per shot, not counting the cost of the equipment, and ammunition is unlimited as long as there is electricity.

{{quote 'Completing these innovative tests using a powerful laser is just the beginning of our vision,' said the head of the Defence Research and Development Authority (DDR&D), Brigadier General Yaniv Rotem. For the first time, we managed to intercept mortar shells, missiles and UAVs from such difficult distances and time intervals. Laser turned things around with his easily manageable system and significant economic advantages. The next step is to continue the development and initial deployment of the system in Israel. Our plan is to place many laser transmitters along Israel's borders over the next decade. We will continue to develop advanced capabilities at the same time, including an air laser. }} The tests are part of the first phase of a multi-year program run by Rafael, other private companies and the Defense Research and Development Administration (DDR&D) of the Israel Defense Ministry with the aim of creating high-energy lasers that can be land-based or air-based and capable of countering numerous threats combined with the Iron Dome.^[3]

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