Rafael Iron Beam Laser Air Defense System: Israel’s leading defence technology company, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Thursday announced completion of a series of ground-breaking tests with a high-power laser interception system Iron Beam against steep-track threats. These tests were conducted in collaboration with Israel’s Ministry of Defense‘s Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D), demonstrating successful interception of UAVs, mortars, rockets, and anti-tank missiles in various scenarios.
Rafael said its Iron Beam laser based air defence system provides the state of Israel with a capability unlike one seen elsewhere in the world by successfully developing a high-power laser technology at an operational standard with operational interception capabilities.
The tests are the first phase of a multi-year program led by the DDR&D and defense industries.
The program aims to develop a high-power ground and aerial laser system equipped to deal with long-range, high-intensity threats.
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“The laser will complement the ‘Iron Dome’ system and will be an effective and economically efficient addition to Israel’s multi-tiered air defense array. The system’s development plan is led by the Research and Development Division in the Ministry of Defense’s DDR&D,”Rafael said in statement.
Yoav Har Even, CEO and President of Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, said the company was proud to have completed this initial series of tests with the world’s most innovative high-power laser.
Yoav Har Even said the successful tests included the interception of a wide range of threats and have proven the system’s remarkable capabilities. Our cooperation with the DDR&D and the Ministry of Defense has led to this extraordinary development, constituting a significant milestone in the process to achieve operational capability.
“I am confident that this technological breakthrough will lead to future capabilities in directed energy, including the high-power laser system. This achievement is the result of RAFAEL employees’ tireless work contributing to Israel’s security while preserving and developing technological capabilities to ensure Israel’s qualitative advantage,” Yoav Har Even told in a statement sent to Defence Star.
A mock target locked-in by Iron Beam laser system.
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Talking about the role of DDR&D, Daniel Gold, the Head of the Organization, said it led significant research and development in various technological fields that support the Israeli Defence Forces and the State of Israel.
Daniel Gold says the high-power laser system will form an integral part of Israel’s multi-tiered air defense array. This technological breakthrough has come at a time when the operational demand for the system is at an all-time high.
“These tests have been a great success thanks to the creativity, innovation, and knowledge inherent in the research and development processes. In recent years, the DDR&D has led the laser program in partnership with the IDF and the defense industry,” he added.
Gold said the DDR&D would continue to lead the research, knowledge, and technological developments that form the base of the ground-breaking systems used to protect the State of Israel.”
A target destroyed by Iron Beam laser system.
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Yaniv Rotem, Head of R&D at the DDR&D in the Ministry of Defense, says the completion of these tests using a high-power laser is just the beginning of the organization’s vision.
Yaniv Rotem says this is the first time we’ve succeeded in intercepting mortars, rockets, and UAVs from such challenging ranges and time intervals.
“The laser is a game-changer thanks to its easily operated system and significant economic advantages. The next step is to continue the development and initial system deployment within Israel. Our plan is to station multiple laser transmitters along Israel’s borders throughout the next decade. We will continue to simultaneously develop advanced capabilities, including the aerial laser,” Yaniv Rotem said while explaining the future plans for the Iron Beam laser air defence system.
Trial of Iron Beam laser system.
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