Iron Beam defence system

October 19, 2023

The Iron Beam air defence system that Israel may deploy, can fire powerful beams of light that can destroy fast-moving projectiles.
It was earlier planned to enter service in 2025. However, following the outbreak of war, the Israeli Ministry of Defence may consider deploying it sooner.
It was first unveiled in 2014.
Built by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, the Iron Beam system is a directed-energy weapon air defence system that fires powerful beams of light.
The Iron Beam was considered as a cheaper and flexible alternative to work alongside the Iron Dome missile defence system.
Instead of the interceptors fired by Iron Dome, which can cost $60,000 each, one could send a laser beam that costs just a few dollars
The Iron Beam is also smaller and lighter than Iron Dome, which makes it easier to move and to hide.
Challenges
- It cannot operate effectively in wet conditions. Even in optimum conditions, the laser loses 30 to 40 percent of its potential energy to atmospheric moisture before hitting the target.
- It requires a direct line of sight between the system and its target.
- The Iron Beam also has a much slower rate of fire, requiring five seconds or so to transmit sufficient energy to destroy its target.
- As of now, the functionality of the Iron Beam on the battlefield is down to speculation.