Israel over recent years has done an about face and more energy and development dollars are spent on defensive systems, perhaps due to a realization the Jewish state cannot eliminate the plethora of rockets and missiles aimed at the Jewish homeland from Iran, Syria, Lebanon and Gaza.
There is the Iron Dome, which has successfully proven itself against kassam and katyusha rockets. There is the Arrow system which defends against longer range rockets and now, the latest entry into the rocket defense system community, the Iron Beam, against short range rockets. To date, there has been no defense against the short range rockets other than heading to a bomb shelter within 15 seconds of launch detection.
According to the Refael website, the Iron Beam operates on high energy lasers that are aimed at intercepting mortar shells and drone pilotless aircraft. The system is expected to be unveiled in the coming weeks.
The defense systems:
Arrow II and III: against scud and long-range missiles
Magic Wand: moderate range rockets
Iron Dome: short range rockets
Iron Beam: mortar shells and drone aircraft
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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2 Responses
Lasers are a poor choice for terminal defense. They are very expensive, very inefficient, work only at very close range, can be easily defeated by multiple, simultaneous rounds, and make an excellent target.
shazam, why don’t you do research before submitting any comments. The US Navy has been doing tests on laser defense systems. They cost dollars (as in 0 – 10) per shot vs. thousands per missile. The Navy has started outfitting battleships with these laser systems in those huge turrets.
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