‘Unlimited Interceptions, Each Costing Only a Few Dollars’

March 18, 2025

by: Yaakov Lappin ~ JNS

Tuesday, 18 March 2025 | Israel’s air defense capabilities are set to take a historic leap by the end of 2025 with the deployment of Iron Beam, the world’s first operational high-energy laser system for intercepting aerial threats.

Developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, the prime contractor, in partnership with Israel’s Defense Ministry, Iron Beam will be integrated into Israel’s multi-layered defense network. It will operate alongside Iron Dome, the world’s most deployed air defense system that intercepts short- to medium-range threats, the David’s Sling medium- to long-range defense system, as well as the Arrow-2 and Arrow-3 anti-ballistic missile systems.

“Iron Beam is expected to be operational by the end of 2025,” Rafael told JNS, confirming a recent statement by Defense Minister Israel Katz. “The system has already demonstrated successful interceptions, and Rafael, together with Israel’s defense establishment, is accelerating its deployment.”

One of Iron Beam’s most significant advantages is its cost-effectiveness. “This system fundamentally changes the cost equation of air defense. Each interception costs only a few dollars in electricity, making it far more economical than traditional missile interceptors,” the company said. “It allows us to neutralize threats at near-zero cost, forcing adversaries to spend significantly more to launch attacks than we do to stop them.”

A senior Israeli Defense Ministry official told JNS on March 12 that Iron Beam represents a “technological breakthrough at the global level.” The system, the official stated, can shoot down rockets, mortar shells, unmanned aerial vehicles and cruise missiles.

It will also “flip” the economic equation by reversing the long-standing situation in which Israel’s enemies fire thousands of cheap rockets as Israel invests much more in intercepting them.

“Cheap, effective interception of many threats, sparing interceptors, and decreasing the load on existing [air defense] systems,” are part of Iron Beam’s added value, the official said.

“We are examining the installation of this system in all types of platforms: Ground, air and sea. The first expected hand-off of the system is estimated towards the end of 2025,” the official said.

Currently, a single Tamir interceptor used by Iron Dome costs around US $50,000 per launch. In contrast, terrorist organizations in Gaza, such as Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, have spent as little as $500 to $1,000 per rocket, often funded by Iran. This economic asymmetry has long posed a challenge for Israel—until now.

The Defense Ministry’s Research and Development Unit, which is part of the Directorate of Defense Research and Development, has been leading the project with Rafael and Elbit Systems, the official said.

Iron Beam has demonstrated “impressive interception capabilities” in a series of trials, said the official, and is intended to serve as a complementary layer to Iron Dome.

Iron Beam is based on a 100-kilowatt laser, which has a range of between eight to ten kilometers [5.9 to 6.2 mi.] when fired from the ground at aerial threats. While the laser beam travels at the speed of light, each beam must deal with one threat at a time.

The command algorithms of the Iron Dome will decide when it is time to activate the lasers and when to launch Iron Dome’s missile interceptors. This means that Iron Beam will be connected to the country’s array of radars that detect threats. It also depends on advanced camera sensors for targeting.

“Its integration will enable a significant improvement in Israel’s interception capabilities in the face of existing and future ballistic threats and drones,” the official said.

Rafael told JNS that Iron Beam will revolutionize air defense by providing an instantaneous, high-energy laser interception capability at the speed of light.

“It provides continuous protection with an unlimited interception capacity, significantly reducing the need for missile-based interceptors,” a company source said.

Iron Beam’s ability to intercept threats at the speed of light means there is virtually no delay between detection and impact, making it significantly faster than kinetic interceptors such as the Tamir missile used by Iron Dome.

An industry source explained that Iron Beam’s breakthrough was “enabled by decades of research and development in this field.” The source added: “When you have played with something so advanced for so long, you start to understand it, how it speaks and how it behaves. We understood these patterns can be engineered differently—and we have therefore made this leap.”

The system is expected to be deployed along Israel’s borders with Gaza, Lebanon and Syria.

Hezbollah’s rocket arsenal was, before the war, significantly more sophisticated and costly than those of Hamas or Islamic Jihad. Nevertheless, the economic advantage enjoyed by these terror factions in waging war against Israel will severely diminish when Iron Beam becomes operational.

“It will handle short-range threats, preserving missile interceptors for more complex attacks,” the company told JNS. “If a laser interception isn’t possible for any reason, Iron Dome remains a backup. Together, they create a stronger, more efficient defense network.”

Israel’s multi-layered air defense relies on a range of systems to intercept threats at different altitudes and distances. The Iron Dome has been remarkably effective, intercepting over 90% of projectiles fired from Gaza toward populated areas. However, in addition to the costs of the interceptors, each new rocket triggers warning sirens—a phenomenon that could be reduced with Iron Beam since it promises to intercept threats over enemy territory before they cross into Israeli air space.

Asked if Iron Beam is expected to reduce the need for sirens, the company source said: “Potentially, yes. If Iron Beam successfully intercepts most threats, there will be fewer instances where alerts are needed.”

However, he added, sirens will not vanish and will still be needed as a precautionary measure. This is particularly true at the starting stages of Iron Beam’s deployment, when its ability to intercept rockets before they even cross the border will be tested.

While the Iron Beam system is ground-based, the Defense Ministry has been exploring additional applications of high-energy laser technology. In January 2020, Israel announced three separate laser projects:

In 2021, Israel successfully tested a 100-kilowatt airborne laser, developed by Elbit, mounted on a Cessna aircraft, which intercepted 100% of UAVs in the trial. This airborne system, still in development, could provide long-range interceptions beyond enemy lines.

Israel’s allies are closely monitoring the development of Iron Beam. Other countries working on laser weapons include the US and Ukraine which have sought Israel’s help in developing them. In December 2022, Lockheed Martin signed an agreement with Rafael to develop an export version of Iron Beam for the US market. The joint project aims to integrate Iron Beam’s laser technology into American air defense systems, marking a significant step in international laser defense collaboration.

By the end of 2025, Israel is due to become the first country in the world to deploy a high-energy laser system for air defense. With its ability to intercept aerial threats at a fraction of the cost of missile-based systems, Iron Beam represents a revolutionary shift in air defense technology.

“Rafael and Israel are the first in the world to develop and field a high-energy laser system for air defense,” the company source said. “This is a groundbreaking advancement that not only enhances Israel’s security but also sets a new global standard for cost-effective, next-generation defense technologies.”

With Iron Beam’s deployment on the horizon, Israel’s adversaries will soon face a stark new reality: Israel’s defense costs for shooting down the rockets or drones they launch will be minimal.

Posted on March 18, 2025

Source: (This article was originally published by the Jewish News Syndicate on March 18, 2025. See original article at this link.)

Photo Credit: Ariel Hermoni/Defense Ministry/jns.org