Tel Aviv [Israel], March 7: The Iron Beam system will give the Israeli military more flexibility in choosing the right weapon to deal with air threats.
The Australian Defense website on March 6 reported that Israel will equip laser anti-aircraft weapons by 2025, with the size of a container and able to shoot down rockets, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), mortar shells at up to range. up to 10 km.
Called the Iron Beam, the new weapon will join the Iron Dome air defense system , giving generals more flexibility in using the right weapon for each specific threat.
Israel's Rafael says a major advantage of direct-energy weapons is their low operating costs. Each activation only costs a few dollars in electricity, with the potential to deal with low-cost UAVs.
Eli Drori, Rafael's direct-energy weapons business development manager, said the Iron Beam has no radar or command-and-control mechanism. It is a component intended to be integrated into a larger system.
According to him, Rafael has demonstrated his competence with the Israeli Ministry of Defense in the period 2020-2021, enough to impress the contract to develop the system.
"In 2025 we expect to install the first system in Israel. It will probably be the world's first operational high-energy laser weapon system ," he said at the Avalon Airshow. in Australia.
Iron Beam emits more than 100 kilowatts of energy into a spot the size of a coin and takes seconds to do massive damage. Each system consists of 2 units, of which 1 contains 2 lasers, while the other provides power and cooling.
Many countries including the US have sought to develop high-energy laser systems. To equip a viable system, Israel needs to overcome many challenges including technical ones.
According to Drori, there have been two key changes in recent years that have helped progress in the development of the laser system as a whole. One is the maturity of technology, especially adaptive optics that ensure the laser beam remains focused on the target, despite atmospheric distortion.
"Concepts have also changed. We have reached an agreement with the client on achievable goals," he said, adding that that means not aspirational for a laser that can shoot down a fast-flying fighter. at long range.
Some targets need weapons with higher energy. However, instead of developing more powerful lasers, Drori thinks it's possible to use multiple lasers from different systems.
Source: ThanhNien Newspaper
