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Iron Beam

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Iron Beam
TypeLaser air defense system
Place of originIsrael
Service history
Used byIsrael
Production history
DesignerRafael Advanced Defense Systems
Designed2010–2015
ManufacturerRafael Advanced Defense Systems and Lockheed Martin

Iron Beam (Hebrew: קֶרֶן בַּרְזֶל, keren barzel), officially מגן אור, magen or, Shield of Light is a directed-energy weapon air defense system unveiled at the Singapore Airshow on February 11, 2014[1] by Israeli defense contractor Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.[2] The system is designed to destroy short-range rockets, artillery, and mortar bombs; it has a range of up to 7 km (4.3 mi), complementing the Iron Dome system which was designed to intercept missiles launched from a greater distance.[2][3] In addition, the system could also intercept unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs; drones).[4] Iron Beam will constitute the fifth element of Israel's integrated missile defense system,[2] in addition to Arrow 2, Arrow 3, David's Sling and Iron Dome.[5]

Characteristics

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Iron Beam uses a fiber laser to generate a laser beam to destroy an airborne target. Whether acting as a stand-alone system or with external cueing as part of an air-defense system, a threat is detected by a surveillance system and tracked by vehicle platforms in order to engage.

In 2016, laser power levels were reported to be "tens of kilowatts".[6] While official information is not available, a 2020 report said that Iron Beam was thought to have a maximum effective range of up to 7 km, and could destroy missiles, UAVs (drones), and mortar shells around four seconds after the twin high-energy fiber-optic lasers make contact with their target.[7] By 2023, energy levels could reach 100 kW or more and the system could focus a beam to the diameter of a coin at a distance of 10 km (6.2 mi).[8]

Advantages

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The main benefits of using a directed energy weapon over conventional missile interceptors are lower costs per shot, unlimited number of firings, lower operational costs, and less manpower. There is also no interceptor debris to fall on the area protected. It has been argued, since 2014 at least, that a directed energy weapon could be the missing element to Israel's existing layered defence strategies.[9]

Disadvantages

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Disadvantages of energy weapons include the requirement for the beam to penetrate the atmosphere; clouds may prevent use. The beam must be held on the target, which may be spinning, for several seconds (the "dwell time") before enough energy is delivered to destroy it. This makes it difficult to stop a barrage of several missiles even if the system is effective, so that volley fire of interceptors continues to be required. There is also the possibility of rockets being sheathed in heat-resistant material to withstand an energy beam for longer.[10] Energy weapons may be more effective against slower-flying drones, with relatively delicate rotors, control flaps, and guidance systems vulnerable to shorter laser attack, than fast rockets. This technology may also prove effective against paratroopers.

A tiered defense concept, involving Multi-Mission High Energy Laser and High Energy Laser Tactical Vehicle.

Cost

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The cost of each interception is negligible, unlike expensive missile interceptors—around US$2,000 per shot to cover all costs, against $100,000 to $150,000 per interceptor firing.[7] However, setting up and deploying an energy weapon such as Iron Beam is costly; despite the low cost per firing, it may not be the most cost-efficient defence.[10]

As of 2016, the Iron Beam had been funded mainly by the Israeli Ministry of Defense (MoD), with Rafael pursuing increasing the range of the system and partnering with other companies to further develop the prototype.[6][11] In December 2022, Rafael and Lockheed Martin announced a joint effort to develop a laser defense system based on the Iron Beam project. The aim is to produce a system made up of a pair of solid-state lasers that, when combined, could boost power up to 300 kW, as well as to use more than one beam to simultaneously burn more than one target at once.[12]

Development

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Demonstrator Laser Weapon System, White Sands, 2017
Ambassador Tom Nides with IDF and US Defense personnel before the aerial defense system at Ben Gurion Airport, 13 July 2022

Based on 14 years of research and development in solid-state lasers as of 2024, the system is developed by Rafael (in collaboration with Lockheed Martin for the US market[13]) and funded by the Israeli Ministry of Defense. The Iron Beam concept, as apart of a multi-layered defense, was announced at the Singapore Airshow in 2014.[14] A demonstrator Laser Weapons System was operating by 2017.[15] An Iron Beam battery is composed of an air defense radar, a command and control (C2) unit, and two HEL (high-energy laser) systems. It was intended to be mobile[16] and to be able to be used standalone,[4] but was later rendered non-mobile to address weight and power availability concerns and integrated into Iron Dome to reduce complexity.[17] As of 2023 it is capable of 100kW of power focused on the diameter of a coin after 10km of travel.[18]

In April 2022, the Israeli Ministry of Defense and Rafael announced that in a series of experiments the system successfully shot down drones, rockets, mortar bombs, and antitank missiles at White Sands Missile Range.[19] The military pushed for an earlier deployment, possibly due to concerns that there would not be sufficient Iron Dome projectiles to combat attacks; Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said in February 2022 that Israel would deploy the system within the year.[20] However, in October 2022 Rafael said it expects to take "two to three years" to deploy the 100-kW weapon operationally.[17][21]

In May 2023, Rafael unveiled the Naval Iron Beam meant for installation on ships. The system is designed to emit 100 kW out to "several kilometers" to protect vessels against drone swarms and anti-ship missiles. The naval version maintains the same turret external dimensions and can be configured to be integrated onto ship superstructures or in containerized modules to be embarked when needed. The Naval Iron Beam is planned to be operational within four to five years and first be fitted to the Israeli Navy's Reshef-class corvette.[22][23]

In October 2023, the Ministry of Defense and Rafael announced that they would deploy Iron Beam to the southern border with the Gaza Strip to test it with rocket barrages fired by Hamas during 2023 Israel–Hamas war.[24]

Col. Nir Weingold, head of the Israeli Administration for the Development of Weapons and Technological Infrastructure (Maf'at, מפא"ת), said in January 2024 "The Iron Beam will be implemented in the Iron Dome. Then it will decide whether to use the laser or a missile to shoot down the threat. We believe it will be operational by the end of 2025."[25][26]

See also

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  • DragonFire, a similar UK weapon expected to be operational in 2027
  • Light Blade, a simpler Israeli air defense laser system

References

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  1. ^ "RAFAEL at Singapore Air Show 2014". Archived from the original on 2014-01-19.
  2. ^ a b c Williams, Dan (Jan 19, 2014). "Israel plans laser interceptor 'Iron Beam' for short-range rockets". Jerusalem: Reuters. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  3. ^ "Israeli company to unveil laser defense". Associated Press. 2014-01-19. Archived from the original on 2014-02-01 – via The San Diego Union-Tribune.
  4. ^ a b "RAFAEL Develops a New High Energy Laser Weapon". Defense Update. 2014-01-19.
  5. ^ "Israel's Rafael to unveil laser-based defense system". Haaretz. 2014-01-19. Archived from the original on 2014-01-20.
  6. ^ a b "ALLAN KATZ: 'Iron Beam' enhances U.S., allies' security". nwitimes.com. The Northwest Indiana Times. 2016-05-10. Archived from the original on 2016-10-20.
  7. ^ a b Episkopos, Mark (8 September 2020). "The "Iron Beam": Israel's Anti-Missile Laser". The National Interest.
  8. ^ "Israeli-Made High-Energy Laser Makes Debut". National Defense Magazine. 2023-03-21.
  9. ^ Gouré, Daniel (2014-01-21). "Lexington Institute". Lexington Institute. Retrieved 2024-07-25.
  10. ^ a b "What is Israel's Iron Beam?". The Economist. 13 November 2023.
  11. ^ Rafael introduces Iron Beam laser weapon system – Shephardmedia.com, 11 February 2014 Closed access icon
  12. ^ "Lockheed Martin, Israel's Rafael team up on high-energy laser system". Breaking Defense. 2022-12-05.
  13. ^ "Lockheed Martin and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems to Collaborate on High-Energy Laser System". Media - Lockheed Martin.
  14. ^ Trimble, Steve (8 January 2020). "Israel Enters Airborne-Laser Weapon Market | Aviation Week Network". aviationweek.com. Retrieved 2024-07-25.
  15. ^ Cohen, Rachel S. (2019-05-03). "Experimental Laser Weapon Downs Multiple Missiles in Test". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Retrieved 2024-07-25.
  16. ^ Israeli Army (IDF) expects to deploy new Rafael Iron Beam laser air defense system this year – Armyrecognition.com, 12 January 2015
  17. ^ a b Iron Beam, Israel’s laser air defense system, could be ready in 2-3 years. Breaking Defense. 4 October 2022.
  18. ^ "What is Israel's Iron Beam?". The Economist. ISSN 0013-0613. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  19. ^ Altman, Howard (2022-04-15). "Israel's 'Iron Beam' Laser Successfully Downs Rockets, Drones, Mortars". The War Zone. Retrieved 2024-07-25.
  20. ^ Fabian, Emanuel (14 April 2022). "In 'game changer', Israeli laser-based air defense shoots down drones". The Times of Israel.
  21. ^ Rafael anticipates Iron Beam laser system could deploy in two years. Defense News. 7 October 2022.
  22. ^ "IMDEX 2023: Rafael unveils naval variant of Iron Beam DEW system". Janes Information Services. 5 May 2023. Archived from the original on 6 May 2023.
  23. ^ IMDEX 2023 – Rafael unveils its Naval Iron Beam. European Defence Review. 8 May 2023.
  24. ^ Azulay, Yuval (26 October 2023). "Israel to test Iron Beam laser system on Hamas missiles". Calcalistech. Archived from the original on 28 October 2023.
  25. ^ Confino, Jotam; Walters, Louisa (18 January 2024). "Tomorrow's battlefield: AI, robotic dogs, and drone helicopters". Jewish News.
  26. ^ Mehta, Aaron (4 October 2022). "Iron Beam, Israel's laser air defense system, could be ready in 2-3 years". Breaking Defense.
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