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Israel is getting ready to deploy one of many world’s first combat-ready laser air-defense system, marking a historic shift in how nations defend in opposition to rockets, drones and missiles — and an indication that Jerusalem is intent on staying one step forward of its adversaries at the same time as lively combating subsides.
In an interview with Fox Information Digital on the Affiliation of the U.S. Military (AUSA) convention in Washington, D.C., Rafael Superior Protection Methods CEO Yoav Turgeman confirmed that the corporate has accomplished acceptance testing of its Iron Beam laser interceptor and is now delivering the system to the Israeli Air Power for operational use.
“We have now demonstrated the primary production-line system. It was very profitable,” Turgeman mentioned. “We’re delivering the system to the Air Power, which is able to use it operationally.”
The Iron Beam represents a breakthrough in directed-energy expertise — able to destroying incoming rockets, drones and mortars with a beam of sunshine that may strike targets shifting as quick because the velocity of sound and at a fraction of the price of standard interceptors.
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Israel set to deploy its Iron Beam, its new high-energy laser weapon interceptor (Rafael Superior Protection Methods )
“The interception value is just some {dollars},” Turgeman defined. “There’s no interceptor particles, so the collateral injury is way smaller. It permits us to scale back the price of interception and improve the efficiency of our system.”
The Iron Beam’s rollout makes Israel the primary nation to discipline a high-power laser interceptor built-in right into a nationwide air-defense community — a milestone that would redefine missile protection for many years to return.
Rafael designed it as a part of Israel’s layered air-defense structure, which additionally consists of the Iron Dome, David’s Sling and Arrow methods.
The laser will deal with short-range threats similar to rockets, small drones, and mortar rounds, releasing up Iron Dome’s costlier missile interceptors for higher-value targets.
“Every layer enhances the opposite,” Turgeman mentioned. “The system decides what’s the optimized resolution.”
Turgeman mentioned Rafael will accomplice with Lockheed Martin to provide Iron Beam parts and indicated the expertise might be built-in into the U.S.’s Golden Dome plans.
“We’re trying ahead to begin the manufacturing stage,” he informed Fox Information. “Lockheed Martin will participate in a major a part of the manufacturing. We have been capable of meet our schedule on time, despite the fact that we had a battle.”
Modeled after Israel’s Iron Dome, the U.S. is at the moment growing plans for its personal homeland missile protection defend.
“We might like to see [Iron Dome] as a part of that resolution,” he mentioned. “We have now Iron Dome, the Stunner interceptor, and the laser — all may assist defend the U.S.”
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Israeli Iron Dome air protection system fires to intercept missiles over Tel Aviv, Israel, Friday, June 13, 2025. (Leo Correa/AP Photograph)
The brand new expertise comes amid relative calm within the Center East. Israel and Hamas have maintained a cease-fire in Gaza, and Iran has not launched assaults since June’s 12-day battle.
Nonetheless, Israel isn’t taking any probabilities: Turgeman mentioned Rafael has doubled its analysis and improvement funding to make sure Israel maintains its technological edge.
“If there can be one other battle, it is going to be the shock,” he mentioned. “The thought is to discourage the enemy from attacking Israel — that’s the most secure method to forestall battle.”
At AUSA, Rafael additionally unveiled a brand new L-Spike loitering weapon, a drone-like missile able to reaching a goal quickly after which circling overhead till a strike is permitted.
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Turgeman mentioned it’s designed for “time-critical targets” and constructed to withstand digital warfare interference.
“Despite the fact that the system has its personal mind and might establish the goal, the operator should approve the assault,” he mentioned. “One operator can run 4 methods — however the remaining choice is human.”
