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Learn how Iron Ray changes the rules of the air defense game.
Amid the ongoing crisis and standoff with Hamas, Israel is preparing to deploy its advanced laser weapon system, known as the Iron Beam, for the first time to enhance its air defense capabilities.
According to public sources on Twitter, the system, which was planned to be commissioned only in a few years, will act as a component of the integrated missile defense system of Israel, capable of shooting down incoming missiles, drones, artillery and mortar shells.
Iron Beam uses a fiber laser to destroy an aerial target. One of the main advantages of using directed energy weapons over traditional interceptor missiles is the reduced cost per shot, the possibility of unlimited shots, and lower operating costs.
By 2016, the laser power was at the level of "tens of kilowatts". A 2020 report indicated that the Iron Beam can destroy missiles, drones, and mortar shells in about four seconds after two high-power lasers make contact with a target.
In December 2022, Rafael and Lockheed Martin announced a joint effort to create a laser defense system based on the Iron Beam project. The goal is to create a system of a pair of solid-state lasers that, when combined, can increase the power to 300 kW.
By researching the test and firing results for the land-based model, Rafael has shifted its focus to the marine environment. She is studying how direct energy weapons will function under such conditions.
With testing of the ground-based model almost complete, Rafael has started production and plans for it to become operational in the next three years. According to the company, the launch of the marine version will take from 4 to 5 years.
One of the key points that the team worked on is laser stabilization. The importance of this aspect cannot be overemphasized: to effectively hit a target with a laser, it is necessary that its energy is maximally concentrated on the object for a certain time. Thanks to intensive testing, it was possible to achieve the same accuracy as the ground version of the system.
Currently, the ground-based version of the "Iron Ray" is in the final stage of testing. The prototype of the system successfully passed all the necessary stages and reached the 7th level of technology readiness (TRL 7).
Amid the ongoing crisis and standoff with Hamas, Israel is preparing to deploy its advanced laser weapon system, known as the Iron Beam, for the first time to enhance its air defense capabilities.
According to public sources on Twitter, the system, which was planned to be commissioned only in a few years, will act as a component of the integrated missile defense system of Israel, capable of shooting down incoming missiles, drones, artillery and mortar shells.
What is the "Iron Ray" of Israel?
Officially, the Iron Beam, or Magen (Hebrew for "Light Shield"), was unveiled at the Singapore Air Show on February 11, 2014 by Israeli defense contractor Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. The system is designed to destroy short-range projectiles that are too close to be effectively intercepted by the Iron Dome system. Its range reaches 7 km, and it can also attack unmanned aerial vehicles.Iron Beam uses a fiber laser to destroy an aerial target. One of the main advantages of using directed energy weapons over traditional interceptor missiles is the reduced cost per shot, the possibility of unlimited shots, and lower operating costs.
By 2016, the laser power was at the level of "tens of kilowatts". A 2020 report indicated that the Iron Beam can destroy missiles, drones, and mortar shells in about four seconds after two high-power lasers make contact with a target.
In December 2022, Rafael and Lockheed Martin announced a joint effort to create a laser defense system based on the Iron Beam project. The goal is to create a system of a pair of solid-state lasers that, when combined, can increase the power to 300 kW.
Technology for marine operations
Rafael has developed a number of systems to protect ships, using the development of the "Iron Ray". The Sea Iron Beam system is designed to be installed on warships to protect them from various threats.By researching the test and firing results for the land-based model, Rafael has shifted its focus to the marine environment. She is studying how direct energy weapons will function under such conditions.
With testing of the ground-based model almost complete, Rafael has started production and plans for it to become operational in the next three years. According to the company, the launch of the marine version will take from 4 to 5 years.
One of the key points that the team worked on is laser stabilization. The importance of this aspect cannot be overemphasized: to effectively hit a target with a laser, it is necessary that its energy is maximally concentrated on the object for a certain time. Thanks to intensive testing, it was possible to achieve the same accuracy as the ground version of the system.
Currently, the ground-based version of the "Iron Ray" is in the final stage of testing. The prototype of the system successfully passed all the necessary stages and reached the 7th level of technology readiness (TRL 7).
