The Israeli Air Force used a new high-power laser defense system to take out aerial threats during the Iron Swords War that began on October 7, 2023, officials announced Wednesday.
The Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD) Directorate of Defense Research & Development (DDR&D), the Israeli Air Force (IAF), and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems accelerated development of new high-tech interception systems so they could be used in the field, according to the communique.
“As a result of this initiative, soldiers from the IAF Aerial Defense Array operated high-power laser system prototypes in the field, successfully intercepting scores of enemy threats,” the Defense Ministry said.
These systems are based on technological breakthroughs developed over decades at Rafael in cooperation with the ministry.
The deployed laser systems are part of Rafael’s portfolio of directed energy weapon systems developed in collaboration with the ministry and complement the more powerful Iron Beam system, currently under development, which is expected to be delivered to the IDF later this year.
Throughout the current war, the IAF, including its Aerial Defense Array soldiers, studied and deployed the laser systems in the field, achieving outstanding interception rates that saved civilian lives and protected national assets.
“The State of Israel is the first in the world to demonstrate large-scale operational laser interception capabilities,” the head of the DDR&D, Brig. Gen. (ret.) Dr. Daniel Gold said.
The laser interception systems are expected to provide an additional layer within Israel’s multi-tiered air defense array.
Head of the DDR&D R&D Division, Brig. Gen. Yehuda Elmakayes said during the war, the IDF deployed several high-power laser system prototypes.
“Throughout this period, we gained substantial experience in optimizing and operating laser technologies in the field. We are currently integrating these insights into the systems under development, while expanding the range of laser-based systems to protect Israeli civilians and IDF forces,” he said.
“Israel is the first country in the world to transform high-power laser technology into a fully operational system and to execute actual combat interceptions,” Rafael Chairman, Dr. Yuval Steinitz noted.
According to Rafael CEO Yoav Tourgeman, the first Iron Beam system is to be delivered from Rafael’s production lines to the IMOD later this year.
