Iron Beam
Iron Beam | |
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Type | Laser air defense system |
Place of origin | Israel |
Service history | |
Used by | Israel |
Production history | |
Designer | Rafael Advanced Defense Systems |
Designed | 2010–2015 |
Manufacturer | Rafael Advanced Defense Systems |
Iron Beam (
Characteristics
Iron Beam uses a
In 2016, laser power levels were reported to be "tens of kilowatts".[6] While official information is not available, a 2020 report said that Iron Beam was thought to have a maximum effective range of up to 7 km, and could destroy missiles, UAVs (drones), and mortar shells around four seconds after the twin high-energy fiber-optic lasers make contact with their target.[7] By 2023, energy levels could reach 100 kW or more and the system could focus a beam to the diameter of a coin at a distance of 10 km (6.2 mi).[8]
Advantages
The main benefits of using a
Disadvantages
Disadvantages of energy weapons include the requirement for the beam to penetrate the atmosphere; clouds may prevent use. The beam must be held on the target, which may be spinning, for several seconds (the "dwell time") before enough energy is delivered to destroy it. This makes it difficult to stop a barrage of several missiles even if the system is effective, so that volley fire of interceptors continues to be required. There is also the possibility of rockets being sheathed in heat-resistant material to withstand an energy beam for longer.[9] Energy weapons may be more effective against slower-flying drones, with relatively delicate rotors, control flaps, and guidance systems vulnerable to shorter laser attack, than fast rockets. This technology may also prove effective against paratroopers.
Cost
The cost of each interception is negligible, unlike expensive missile interceptors—around
As of 2016[update] Iron Beam had been funded mainly by the Israeli Ministry of Defense (MoD), with Rafael pursuing increasing the range of the system and partnering with other companies to further develop the prototype.[6][10] In December 2022, Rafael and Lockheed Martin announced a joint effort to develop a laser defense system based on the Iron Beam project. The aim is to produce a system made up of a pair of solid-state lasers that, when combined, could boost power up to 300 kW, as well as to use more than one beam to simultaneously burn more than one target at once.[11]
Development
Based on 14 years of
In April 2022, the Israeli Ministry of Defense and Rafael announced that in a series of experiments the system successfully shot down drones, rockets,
In May 2023, Rafael unveiled the Naval Iron Beam meant for installation on ships. The system is designed to emit 100 kW out to "several kilometers" to protect vessels against
In October 2023, the Ministry of Defense and Rafael announced that they would deploy Iron Beam to the southern border with the
Col. Nir Weingold, head of the Israeli
See also
- DragonFire, a similar UK weapon expected to be operational in 2027
- Light Blade, a simpler Israeli air defense laser system
References
- ^ "RAFAEL at Singapore Air Show 2014". Archived from the original on 2014-01-19.
- ^ a b c Williams, Dan (Jan 19, 2014). "Israel plans laser interceptor 'Iron Beam' for short-range rockets". Jerusalem: Reuters. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
- ^ "Israeli company to unveil laser defense". Associated Press. 2014-01-19. Archived from the original on 2014-02-01 – via The San Diego Union-Tribune.
- ^ a b "RAFAEL Develops a New High Energy Laser Weapon". Defense Update. 2014-01-19.
- ^ "Israel's Rafael to unveil laser-based defense system". Haaretz. 2014-01-19. Archived from the original on 2014-01-20.
- ^ a b "ALLAN KATZ: 'Iron Beam' enhances U.S., allies' security". nwitimes.com. The Northwest Indiana Times. 2016-05-10. Archived from the original on 2016-10-20.
- ^ a b Episkopos, Mark (8 September 2020). "The "Iron Beam": Israel's Anti-Missile Laser". The National Interest.
- National Defense Magazine. 2023-03-21.
- ^ a b "What is Israel's Iron Beam?". The Economist. 13 November 2023.
- ^ Rafael introduces Iron Beam laser weapon system – Shephardmedia.com, 11 February 2014
- ^ "Lockheed Martin, Israel's Rafael team up on high-energy laser system". Breaking Defense. 2022-12-05.
- ^ "Lockheed Martin and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems to Collaborate on High-Energy Laser System". Media - Lockheed Martin.
- ^ Israeli Army (IDF) expects to deploy new Rafael Iron Beam laser air defense system this year – Armyrecognition.com, 12 January 2015
- ^ a b Iron Beam, Israel’s laser air defense system, could be ready in 2-3 years. Breaking Defense. 4 October 2022.
- ISSN 0013-0613. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
- ^ Fabian, Emanuel (14 April 2022). "In 'game changer', Israeli laser-based air defense shoots down drones". The Times of Israel.
- ^ Rafael anticipates Iron Beam laser system could deploy in two years. Defense News. 7 October 2022.
- ^ "IMDEX 2023: Rafael unveils naval variant of Iron Beam DEW system". Janes Information Services. 5 May 2023. Archived from the original on 6 May 2023.
- ^ IMDEX 2023 – Rafael unveils its Naval Iron Beam. European Defence Review. 8 May 2023.
- ^ Azulay, Yuval (26 October 2023). "Israel to test Iron Beam laser system on Hamas missiles". Calcalistech. Archived from the original on 28 October 2023.
- ^ Confino, Jotam; Walters, Louisa (18 January 2024). "Tomorrow's battlefield: AI, robotic dogs, and drone helicopters". Jewish News.
- ^ Mehta, Aaron (4 October 2022). "Iron Beam, Israel's laser air defense system, could be ready in 2-3 years". Breaking Defense.
External links
- "Maggen Or": Israel successfully completed interception tests with a laser-based air defense system on Israeli Ministry of Defensechannel
- "IRON BEAM High Energy Laser Weapon System". rafael.co.il.