The advantages of the Iron Beam system are high speed, accuracy, low cost and “unlimited ammo”.
Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems introduced the Iron Beam laser system for protection against drones and missiles at IDEX 2023. The details were learned by the Defense Mail.
Iron Beam is a 100kW high energy laser system to combat steep road threats. Laser beams should hit UAVs (one at a time and in whole swarms), howitzers, missiles, including anti-tank missiles, and other air targets vulnerable to kinetic weapons from “up to a few kilometers”. Rafael promises to demonstrate the capabilities of the Iron Beam and other weapons to IDEX 2023 visitors.
“Any multi-level air defense system consists of a set of interceptors of various types. A high-energy laser can serve as an additional means of protection, with its own advantages: hitting targets at the speed of light, unlimited ammunition and low cost interception, ”says the Rafael website.
It is worth noting that on the eve of Rafael officially opened a new facility in the UAE. Company President and CEO Yoav Har-Even discussed the Iron Beam system in a private meeting with Israeli and UAE officials. As expected, the “Iron Beam” will expand the capabilities of the Israeli air defense system “Iron Dome”.
Recall that in October Rafael brought the Iron Beam to the AUSA 2022 exhibition in Washington (USA). Later, the developers stated that they are trying to create the world’s first laser air defense system capable of eliminating a wide range of threats, including missiles and swarms of drones.
On February 14, Dani Gold, head of the Department of Defense Research and Development of the Israeli Ministry of Defense, said that the country is developing new laser systems that can shoot down Iranian UAVs attacking Ukraine. According to him, during the tests the guns were used very successfully against missiles, mortars and drones. As engineers continue to complete the laser systems, the military plans to use them in the future.
Source: Focus
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