Israel’s Ministry of Defence (IMOD) introduced it has demonstrated its 100 kilowatt laser directed vitality weapon (LDEW) system alongside the Air Pressure and Rafael on 17 September 2025.
Iron Beam, now totally mature, is a ground-based laser weapon system which the IMOD stated can be utilized in an air defence function. It’s stated that the system proved efficient in “a whole operational configuration”, intercepting rockets, mortars, plane, and uncrewed aerial automobiles (UAVs) over a interval of a number of weeks.
The primary programs are scheduled for integration into the Israel Defence Forces’ (IDF) built-in air and missile defence (IAMD) arrays earlier than the top of 2025.
Lasers for C-UAS
Although in its present state, LDEW know-how stays incapable of delivering the ‘ace-in-the-hole’ answer to nuclear weapons initially envisaged within the Strategic Protection Initiative, ‘Star Wars’ programme throughout the Chilly Struggle, LWS and high-power microwave weapons platforms have confirmed profitable as counter-uncrewed aerial programs (C-UAS) applied sciences.
In accordance with GlobalData’s strategic intelligence report on Counter-Drone Applied sciences, printed in September 2025, DEW programs have the potential to succeed as a C-UAS answer due to the distinctive firing methods.
LWS have the potential to deliver an especially low cost-per-shot worth to C-UAS programs. The UK’s DragonFire system, which fired over 300 photographs in July 2025, is alleged to price ten pence per shot in comparison with the tens of millions it takes to acquire surface-to-air missiles.
As drones of all sizes proliferate, the economics of interdiction should be thought-about. To that finish, Iron Beam, in keeping with Rafael, has almost zero cost per interception.
Nonetheless, GlobalData’s projection means that many LDEW C-UAS programs are usually not but battle-ready. The primary few Royal Navy destroyers won’t deploy DragonFire until 2027 onwards.
Nonetheless, each aggressive army is investing within the C-UAS subject, with the US Division of Protection (now the Division of Struggle) pursuing scalable small C-UAS effectors by means of the Replicator 2 initiative – one of many few policy remnants to survive the Trump administration.
Enhancing Israel’s IAMD
Iron Beam is anticipated to combine into Israel’s multi-layered air defence array as a complementary functionality to the Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow air defence programs.
The LDEW system makes use of Rafael’s distinctive ‘adaptive optics’ know-how, which overcomes atmospheric distortions, guaranteeing a steady, centered, and exact beam. This ensures precision strike in opposition to small, fast-moving targets – a key requirement of LDEWs, with the US calling business to ship low-collateral results.
First introduced in Might 2024, operational prototypes of Rafael’s short-range tactical laser programs have been deployed all through the present conflict, which the IMOD declare, have intercepted and defeated dozens of threats. Following the latest take a look at success, the federal government anticipate a big leap in air defence capabilities by means of the deployment of those long-range laser weapon programs.
IMOD director basic, Main Common Amir Baram, asserted that “that is the primary time on the earth {that a} high-power laser interception system has reached full operational maturity.”
Defining the phrase – full operational maturity – is a posh endeavour. Different international locations have confirmed the impact of sovereign LDEWs, with China even exporting some programs, such because the Silent Hunter, however it’s troublesome to find out the total impact of programs at this stage with any certainty.
