Laser-based ‘Iron Beam’ Interception System Declared Operational

[NuclearID]

Laser-based ‘Iron Beam’ interception system declared operational:

Israel’s high-powered laser interception system, dubbed “Iron Beam,” has been declared operational after completing development and final tests, and is set to be delivered to the military by the end of the year, the Defense Ministry and manufacturer Rafael said on Wednesday.

The Iron Beam has been in development for over a decade; it was first unveiled in 2014. During the current war, a lower-powered version of the system was used by the Israel Defense Forces to shoot down Hezbollah drones launched from Lebanon.

Read More!

Laser-based ‘Iron Beam’ interception system declared operational

System set to be delivered to IDF by end of year after successful final tests; defense minister says Israel 'first country to possess this capability'

www.timesofisrael.com

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️Israeli anti-missile laser system 'Iron Beam' ready for military use this year:

JERUSALEM, Sept 17 (Reuters) - A low-cost, high-power laser-based system aimed at destroying incoming missiles has successfully completed testing and will be ready for operational use by the military later this year, Israel's Defence Ministry said on Wednesday.

Co-developed by Elbit Systems (ESLT.TA), opens new tab and Rafael Advance Defense Systems, "Iron Beam" will complement Israel's Iron Dome, David's Sling and Arrow anti-missile systems, which have been used to intercept thousands of rockets fired by Hamas militants in Gaza, by Hezbollah from Lebanon and by the Houthis in Yemen.

Read More!

Israeli anti-missile laser system 'Iron Beam' ready for military use this year

A low-cost, high-power laser-based system aimed at destroying incoming missiles has successfully completed testing and will be ready for operational use by the military later this year, Israel's Defence Ministry said on Wednesday.

www.reuters.com

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️Lasers in the field: Iron Beam clears last test before operational use:

JERSUALEM — Israel has completed a series of key tests on its Iron Beam laser air defense system, a “final milestone” before full deployment later this year, the Ministry of Defense and contractor Rafael announced today.

The Iron Beam system, which will be integrated with the existing Iron Dome short range kinetic interceptor, has proven to be effective against rockets, mortars, aircraft and UAVs, according to the MoD, which called today’s news a “global technological and engineering breakthrough.”

Read More!

Lasers in the field: Iron Beam clears last test before operational use - Breaking Defense

The Israeli MoD called today’s news a “global technological and engineering breakthrough.”

breakingdefense.com

 

[NuclearID]

Ladies and gentlemen. The future is here.

IN ALL SERIOUSNESS… this is going to save the U.S. and Israeli taxpayers a RIDICULOUS AMOUNT of money. Like. Unbelievably, ungodly amounts of money we are going to save.

You know how much interceptor missiles cost? A LOT! With just one shot from this laser, it only costs a few pennies in electricity. It will change the game of drone and missile warfare, imo.

The idea is to bleed the enemy dry, not just on interceptor missiles, but bleed them financially. Look at how much it’s costing Ukraine to shoot down these cheap drones Russia makes. If it only costs Israel a few cents versus hundreds of thousands of dollars to hit one drone, then you changed the game. The enemy cannot bleed you with a laser dome.

 

[NuclearID]

The enemy cannot bleed you with a laser dome.

Well first they need to scale it up and mass produce it. Create a good solid logistical and know-how chain to start rolling these bad puppies off the floor!

Still. Quite amazing and everyone should understand nor underestimate how this will change almost everything in warfare tactics as we know it currently.

@DEFCON Warning System @RiffRaff @7gtz @Irag8er @Torch

 

[NuclearID]

I hope Europe doesn’t think it’s going to get it or get this technology that will change everything for those who have it, after what Europe has done and said to Israel over the past three years. Or just today alone:

If adopted by the EU’s 27 member states, the proposal would not ban trade but suspend the EU’s preferential treatment with Israel, exposing EU imports from the country to an additional €227 million in duties over a year.
Read More:

EU's partial suspension of Israel trade: Appropriate or insignificant?

If adopted by the EU’s 27 member states, the proposal would not ban trade but suspend the EU’s preferential treatment with Israel, exposing EU imports from the country to an additional €227 million in duties over a year.

www.euronews.com

If I were Israel, I would say to the Europeans: go screw yourselves and have fun with the Russian drones, we’re not selling you this or the technology.

Just this year alone, most European arms conventions banned Israel in Europe and their markets. So, really, why should Israel give it to them? Europeans have given Israel zero reason to, imho.

I hope Europes "principles" can save it from Russian drones.

 

[DEFCON Warning System]

I'd like to see this thing in action.

 

[HoldFast]

This would actually be a nuclear concern if it ever made it to ballistic missile defense (as it was for the false Cold War Star wars Program) because if the US is invulnerable, Russia and China would lose their MAD defense concept and may take that as a sign to strike before systems come online.

 

[NuclearID]

This would actually be a nuclear concern if it ever made it to ballistic missile defense (as it was for the false Cold War Star wars Program) because if the US is invulnerable, Russia and China would lose their MAD defense concept and may take that as a sign to strike before systems come online.

You’re correct. However the first phase we’re seeing is aimed at drones and aircraft targeting to cut down costs (big time) on interceptor missiles. Not to target nuclear ballistic missiles. At least not yet...

They’re likely exploring ballistic missile defense with this technology, but we’re not there yet.

Still, it’s a major first step toward an SDI style capability against nuclear threats. Prove it on land, refine and miniaturize it to then make a space layer with the technology to shoot down incoming nuclear ballistic missiles in space/from space

Where only a few skips and a step away from it really... it feels like at least and with what we know.

 

[Torch]

You’re correct. However the first phase we’re seeing is aimed at drones and aircraft targeting to cut down costs (big time) on interceptor missiles. Not to target nuclear ballistic missiles. At least not yet...

They’re likely exploring ballistic missile defense with this technology, but we’re not there yet.

Still, it’s a major first step toward an SDI style capability against nuclear threats. Prove it on land, refine and miniaturize it to then make a space layer with the technology to shoot down incoming nuclear ballistic missiles in space/from space

Where only a few skips and a step away from it really it feels like and with what we know.

It’s going to be a major destabilizing event. Specifically when the USA announces why we only have a handful of launchers to protect the entire continent. Russia (and China too) will go nuts. The Idea that a country would want to defend themselves but not invaded their precious homeland will never occur to them. Those paranoid buttheads might actually attack as an announcement is made.

 

[Spyglass]

It’s going to be a major destabilizing event. Specifically when the USA announces why we only have a handful of launchers to protect the entire continent. Russia (and China too) will go nuts. The Idea that a country would want to defend themselves but not invaded their precious homeland will never occur to them. Those paranoid buttheads might actually attack as an announcement is made.

I’m inclined to partially agree with that. If they are gonna attack it will be before we install the system. Remember the “Golden Dome?” These will be a major component of that. Directed Energy Weapons have existed for decades, just only now are they actually deployable.

 

[NuclearID]

Remember the “Golden Dome?” These will be a major component of that.

Funny you say that, I said that yesterday somewhere. Without a doubt the Laser Dome tech will be integrated into the "Golden Dome".

 

[NuclearID]

Remember the “Golden Dome?” These will be a major component of that.

Funny you say that, I said that yesterday somewhere.

Post in thread 'Trump's Plans For 'Golden Dome' Missile Defense'

Sep 18, 2025

Pentagon to get first official briefing on Golden Dome missile shield architecture.

“Sept. 17, 2025 marks 60 days since Gen. Guetlein’s confirmation and the establishment of the Office of Golden Dome for America,” a Pentagon spokesperson said. “The Department of War met the deadline of initial architecture development.”

Two sources said that Guetlein had briefed Congress on Monday on Golden Dome’s goals and schedule.

According to government presentations previously reported by Reuters, the system would feature space-based sensing and targeting...

• NuclearID

• 

Found it.

 

[Torch]

I’m inclined to partially agree with that. If they are gonna attack it will be before we install the system. Remember the “Golden Dome?” These will be a major component of that. Directed Energy Weapons have existed for decades, just only now are they actually deployable.

We used end them in Irag. Intercepted incoming mortars. Sat on two flatbeds. One for the gun unit and one whole 28’(?) trailer with generators.

Worked. Would probably waste drones and cruise missiles but the latter wasn’t an issue and the former wasn’t a big thing yet.

 

[Publius]

Here is the one difficulty to overcome for defensive lasers. When they are implemented there will have to be enough firing point stations across a geographic area to accommodate a lasers line of site only projection.
As compared to missile weapons to destroy inbound planes or missiles beyond line of sights or over the horizon.
In short laser weapons will predominantly only be effective on final phase of an inbound missile. 100km +\- given atmospherics. Cruise missile or low altitude glide vehicles 20-50km depending upon the vehicles altitude.
So lasers will be valuable but we will still likely field rocket interceptors for over the horizon defense as part of a layered defense.

 

[Torch]

Here is the one difficulty to overcome for defensive lasers. When they are implemented there will have to be enough firing point stations across a geographic area to accommodate a lasers line of site only projection.
As compared to missile weapons to destroy inbound planes or missiles beyond line of sights or over the horizon.
In short laser weapons will predominantly only be effective on final phase of an inbound missile. 100km +\- given atmospherics. Cruise missile or low altitude glide vehicles 20-50km depending upon the vehicles altitude.
So lasers will be valuable but we will still likely field rocket interceptors for over the horizon defense as part of a layered defense.

Airborne weapon lasers. In fighters ( already a thing, testing) in drones(need large power plant, I have no idea where we are with that) and finally <drum roll> on Aerostats that already exist across our borders. From space is probably a bridge too far atm < power and atmospheric diffusion>

Just my musings, though I right about weaponized Lasers on fighters now being tested and Aerostats being available and considered. It one of those eureka head slap moments like packing Ohio Classes with Tomahawks.

 

[Publius]

Airborne weapon lasers. In fighters ( already a thing, testing) in drones(need large power plant, I have no idea where we are with that) and finally <drum roll> on Aerostats that already exist across our borders. From space is probably a bridge too far atm < power and atmospheric diffusion>

Just my musings, though I right about weaponized Lasers on fighters now being tested and Aerostats being available and considered. It one of those eureka head slap moments like packing Ohio Classes with Tomahawks.

General Atomics Confirms Drone-Killing Air-to-Air Laser is in Development - Naval News

General Atomics has confirmed the existence of a new airborne laser program being developed for the U.S. military's fleet of MQ-9 drones.

www.navalnews.com

It seems the current questions of lasers as weapons is scalability. Currently deployed lasers are in the 25-100kw range which allows them to be used against drones.
Lasers scaled in the megawatt size would be required for destroying ballistic missiles.

One big opportunity is see for laser weapons is in the taking out of drones of all sizes. The army has a Stryker mounted laser that fits this bill.

 

[NuclearID]

It seems the current questions of lasers as weapons is scalability.

Scalability is the question but Laser Dome going operational is still a major first step toward an SDI style counter to serious threats.

Prove it on land, refine, shrink the package, then prove it in air combat. From there, a high altitude space layer becomes plausible shooting down ballistic missiles in boost midcourse where line of sight and dwell time work in your favor.

The endgame is layered. First where we are now work on and prove it works on the 'ground' for rockets/UAS, then refine/miniaturize for air for air to air maneuvering threats, then once proved in air to air next step naturally is for space, you know the hard stuff.

 

[Socom7]

If I were Israel, I would say to the Europeans: go screw yourselves and have fun with the Russian drones, we’re not selling you this or the technology.

That's not how diplomacy (or geopolitics) works. You don't freeze your ears off just to spite grandma (to paraphrase a Polish proverb).

At the end of the day Russia is Israel's opponent, while the EU is not. I'm relatively sure Israel realizes that.

 

[Socom7]

Still, it’s a major first step toward an SDI style capability against nuclear threats.

This is worrisome because it messes with MAD.

The cooler heads (are there any left?) will immediately realize the dangers that come with putting your strategic opponents in a "use it or lose it" situation.

 

[NuclearID]

Well if MAD is broken due to SDI. Then nukes become useless. That is a good thing. So long as another country doesn't use them on you before you complete it....

 

[Socom7]

Well if MAD is broken due to SDI. Then nukes become useless. That is a good thing. So long as another country doesn't use them on you before you complete it....

That's exactly what I'm on about.