Iron Dome Laser - Iron Beam Israeli laser air defense system It could be ready in a few years. “We no longer have any technological or scientific problems… Now it's a technical problem. the science is there We have shown that it works,” said Rafael CEO Michael Lurie.
Israel says that in recent tests, the laser defense system knocks out UAVs, mortars and missiles. (Rafael/Israel Ministry of Defense)
Iron Dome Laser
WASHINGTON -- For years, a joke in defense circles was that controlled power systems -- better known as lasers -- were the technology of the future and always will be. But after successfully testing the new Iron Beam abilities with a successful live fire. Israel is moving forward in hopes of quitting that joke. possible in two years
Iron Beam \
Iron Beam complements the Iron Dome defense system built by Rafael, which uses motion blockers to protect Israel from incoming missiles, mortars and drones. A weapon of more than 100 kilowatts, also produced by Raphael. Fully funded by the Israeli Ministry of Defense through initial operational capability. When the systems will work
Rafael USA's new CEO, Michael Lurie, told Breaking Defense in a recent interview. Now that the actual firing test six months ago convinced the IDF to continue funding the project after decades of laser testing. and the company is optimistic that this may be "The beginning of a new era in military technology," he said.
“We no longer have technological problems or scientific problems… Now it's a technical problem. the science is there We've shown that it works,” Lurie says. “It's not a question of whether we can do it or not. The question is when, how long does the IDF want it to run today and tomorrow? but in reality I think this is an effort from where we are now. It will take a few years for us to have a working system.”
The system will play a key role in Rafael's appearance at this year's Association of the United States Army (AUSA) conference, which takes place in Washington next week.
Don't Doubt The Iron Dome
Lurie emphasized that Iron Beam will never completely replace Iron Dome. Israel plans to merge the two. The existing Iron Dome infrastructure – all the backends it decides to target – will remain in place. If all goes well, then Iron Beam is an alternative system to use against incoming threats.
And there are real trade-offs that the system has to take into account. while kinetic interceptors can destroy targets on impact. The laser must hold on to the target for a period of time. and even if it only happened for a few seconds Complications may occur. and if the weather is bad May render the laser system ineffective when attacking incoming targets.
On the other hand, kinetic interceptors take time to reach the target. while the laser travels at the speed of light - and does not need to be recharged. And the cost savings in using the laser system compared to manufacturing and purchasing a kinetic arrester are significant. As Lurie says, Iron Dome's biggest challenge today is "Economics," which is the main reason for pushing energy-oriented alternatives.
Lurie declined to detail what Iron Beam's range might be. Although the launch company claims to be "multiple miles," the effect of the system can vary depending on the power of the beam and its target. He said that in some cases the target will explode while in some cases the target will go off and fall from the sky. (An Israeli source previously told Breaking Defense that the design would use two laser beams to generate the required power. and likely will require a 1 megawatt beam for success)
Is Israel's Iron Dome Air Defense Too Good?
Why did Iron Beam work even after three decades of failed laser experiments? Lurie points to a few specific factors. First, the advancement of the laser itself. which is mainly driven by the commercial world Second, the decision to integrate this into Iron Dome eliminated many of the complications of a standalone system. And since it is a non-portable system There are therefore limited concerns about weight and power.
Like any Iron Dome-related technology, Israel has export restrictions. However, Lurie said Rafael is "in talks with a [American] company" to market the Pentagon. But we are in advanced discussions about this,” he said. (In 2021, Rafael announced plans to work with Lockheed Martin on a targeted energy defense system.)
And expressed confidence in how the company plans to prepare if Israel moves forward with a post-IOC system.
“Manufacturing is about stuff and transportation that takes a long time. We will have a production line. The question is how quickly can we start ordering long-lead products and start producing those systems,” he said, adding that global supply chain challenges are “a big challenge.” "Factors to Consider"
Israel's Iron Beam Efficacy On Missile Defense Systems
The decision to create an immobile system on the ground made Iron Beam the simplest direct power setup possible. But with advances in technology and test cases like Iron Beam, Lurie said he expects the technology to spread in new ways. in the next few years
“I think in many cases everyone will try to look at higher energy. Shorter Interception Time The mobility system, the ship system,” he says. “I think we can't imagine where this is going. Once we proved it worked, the concepts, interpretations that the military came up with would surprise everyone.
“Take 20-[or] 10-year-olds and ask them what to do with lasers. They will come up with ideas.” Jerusalem – Israel plans to build. A “laser wall” that would turn a country from investing huge sums in interceptor missiles to using inexpensive electric lasers.
The system will be operational next year, said Prime Minister Naftali Bennett when announcing the plan earlier this month. “This will allow us in the medium to long range to surround Israel with a laser barrier that will protect us from rockets, missiles, UAVs and other threats. Which essentially eliminates our enemy's strongest cards against us,” he added.
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Israel has been working on laser air defense technology for decades. By going back to tactical high energy laser systems. (also known as Nautilus) developed in the 1990s and early 2000s, although the project was discontinued. But in January 2020, the Ministry of Defense announced a breakthrough.
“We are entering a new era of energy warfare in the air, on land and at sea,” said Brig. Gen. Yaniv Rotem, who at the time headed the Ministry of Defense Research and Development Committee. "Investment in research and development in recent years has made the State of Israel one of the leading countries in the field of high-power laser systems."
Israel reportedly turned to the United States. For laser protection cooperation In April 2021, the head of the Israeli Missile Defense Organization said that ground-based lasers would be integrated into the Iron Dome. Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, which produces air defense systems, Iron Dome demonstrated the use of lasers on small drones, a As part of the Drone Dome system, two Israeli laser systems have been developed by two of the largest defense companies: Rafael works on ground systems and Elbit Systems is a leader in working on airborne systems.
But the question remains about its effectiveness and ultimate use: where will Israel place its weapons? Will they be able to protect the country from rockets launched from Gaza by Hamas and threats from the north by Hezbollah or Iran? Additionally, while the ground system will initially run with Iron Dome batteries, the platform for the airborne system remains to be seen.
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“Proponents of the laser solution argue that it is possible and that Israel is fully defensive with lasers. that there is no need for missile interceptors except on rainy days And the cost will be much less than defense with interceptors,” said Uzi Rubin, founder and first director of the Israel Missile Defense Organization.
Rubin, now a senior researcher at the Jerusalem Institute for Strategic and Security, told Defense News that while the cost of defeating incoming threats with lasers may be low, it's not the case. But the cost of acquiring and maintaining the technology can be significant.
Israeli police officers demonstrate new laser protection system designed to intercept balloons containing explosives, August 30, 2020 (Zafrier Abayov/AP)
Lasers are also affected by weather conditions. So airborne laser systems can benefit from being above the clouds. Another option is to use
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