Iron Beam:
Israel’s ‘Iron Beam’, designed to use a high-power laser to down projectiles, will be operational within a year, according to reports.
- The Iron Beam, also known as Magen or Light Shield, is a new laser-based missile defence system developed by Israel.
- It is a 100kW class High Energy Laser Weapon System (HELWS) that is expected to become the first operational system in its class.
- It is a directed-energy weapon air defence system that fires powerful beams of light that can destroy fast-moving projectiles.
- Built by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Iron Beam was first unveiled in 2014.
- Its operational range extends up to 7 km (4.3 miles).
- With a continuous energy supply for the laser, the advantage lies in never depleting ammunition, ensuring a sustained capability for defense.
- The absence of conventional ammunition will directly result in significant cost savings.
- Complementing Israel’s Irom Dome, it can be integrated with a range of platforms and can become part of any multilayer defence system.
