New Delhi:
Israel’s ‘Iron Beam’, designed to use high-power laser to down projectiles, will be operational within a year, according to reports. The laser defense system will complement the country’s Iron Dome and other defense systems, heralding in a “new era of warfare”, the Israeli defence ministry said.
Costing Israel over $500 million, the Iron Beam will engage and neutralise missiles, drones, rockets and mortars at a time the country is at war with the Hamas in Palestine and Hezbollah in Iran. Retaliatory strikes between the three countries have caused widespread destruction, recently hitting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence in the coastal city of Caesarea.
Developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, architect of Israel’s Iron Dome, and Elbit Systems, the Iron Beam can engage at the speed of light from a range of hundreds of meters to several kilometers. It has an unlimited magazine, almost zero cost per interception and causes minimal collateral damage.
Israel’s defence ministry said that the Iron Beam will shoot down the smaller projectiles, while larger targets like ballistic missiles will be tackled by the Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 interceptors. The system will heat and destroy the target, including drones, which are small, light and have a low radar signature, making them tough targets for the Iron Dome, experts told CNN.
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