Israel successfully test fires its laser missile defence system “Iron Beam”

Why in news?

• Israel has successfully test fired a first of its kind laser missile defence system called as “Iron Beam”, the world’s first energy-based weapons system.
• The Iron Beam is developed by the Rafael Advanced Defence Systems. It uses a directed-energy weapon system and can travel a long way to provide aerial defence. The tests took place in the Negev Desert, Israel.

About Iron Beam 

• Iron Beam works on a fibre laser system to destroy any airborne object. It ranges up to 7 km, which is often considered too close for the Iron Dome system to intercept projectiles effectively.
• The Iron Beam is the world’s first energy-based weapons system that uses a laser to shoot down incoming aerial objects such as missiles, rockets, mortars, anti-tank missiles, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and drones.
• It cost around 3.50 United States Dollar (USD) or Rs.250 per laser shot.
• The Israel forces have planned to deploy Iron Beam on land, in the air and at sea.
• Iron Beam is executed in the defence of Israel as it is cost effective when compared to Iron Dome defence system. But still the Iron Dome defence system has the interception of 90% against incoming rocket fire.
• The Iron Beam is Israel’s fifth element of the integrated air defence system, consisting of Arrow 2, Arrow 3, David’s Sling, and Iron Dome.