Israel Ministry of Defense signs a deal of $500 million to expand serial production of Israel’s first domestically developed laser weapon system Iron Beam

Israel's Ministry of Defense (IMod) has signed a significant deal worth over $500 million to ramp up production of the IRON BEAM, a domestically developed laser weapon system. This groundbreaking technology, jointly developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Elbit Systems, is designed to counter a wide range of aerial threats, including rockets, mortars, UAVs, and cruise missiles.

The IRON BEAM system has undergone extensive testing and demonstrated impressive interception capabilities. Its integration into Israel's multi-layered defense system, alongside the Iron Dome, is expected to significantly enhance the country's defense capabilities while reducing operational costs.

IRON BEAM is a 100kW class High Energy Laser Weapon System (HELWS) that is expected to become the first operational system in its class. It can be integrated with a range of platforms and can become part of any multilayer defense system, IRON BEAM rapidly engages and neutralizes a variety of threats – including small and short-range ballistic threats such as small-caliber mortars, rockets, artillery, and UAVs of various sizes.

The system is designed to protect maneuvering forces, strategic assets, and urban areas, multiple threats. This system can complement any multilayer defense system, with proven interceptions of ATGMs, mortars, and UAVs as well as fast maneuvering and tracking. It uses the laser system called LITE BEAM, which is a 7.5kW HEL interceptor for C-mUAVs and ground targets such as IEDs and UXOs. It can be integrated with any detection or C-UAV system, neutralizing targets from a distance of a few 100 meters to up to 2000 meters.