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18 Sep 2025
Rafael says system based around Elbit fiber laser has passed 'final milestone' tests before operational deployment.
Israeli weapons firm Rafael says that its “Iron Beam 450” high-power laser weapon has completed final tests and will be integrated into air defense systems fielded by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) by the end of this year.
Based around a high-power laser source provided by Elbit Systems and featuring proprietary adaptive optics to ensure effectiveness at long stand-off distances, the technology is set to become the world's first fully operational laser air defense system.
“The test series, conducted at a facility in southern Israel, concludes the development phase and represents the final milestone before delivering the system to the IDF for operational deployment,” reported Rafael of tests with the Israel Ministry of Defense (IMoD) Directorate of Defense Research & Development, and the Israeli Air Force.
“The system proved its effectiveness in a complete operational configuration by intercepting rockets, mortars, aircraft, and UAVs across a comprehensive range of operational scenarios.”
Just under a year ago, Rafael and Elbit signed a $500 million-plus contract with IMoD to realize the system, which is believed to be designed around 100 kW-class fiber lasers, and capable of intercepting individual airborne threats at a much lower cost than the conventional kinetic weapons that are used by the current "Iron Dome" system.
‘Global significance’
Back in May, Rafael said that operational prototypes of Iron Beam had been deployed during the current Gaza conflict, and had successfully intercepted and defeated “dozens” of threats.
“Now that the Iron Beam’s performance has been proven, we anticipate a significant leap in air defense capabilities through the deployment of these long-range laser weapon systems,” the firm now says.
Company chairman Yuval Steinitz added: “Rafael is the first and only company worldwide to successfully transform high-power laser technology into a fully mature, operational interception system capable of intercepting missiles and UAVs.
“We’re immensely proud of Rafael’s leadership in this operational and technological breakthrough. Today’s complex trial results prove that the talented team behind the Iron Dome is again revolutionizing warfare with what we call the ‘Laser Dome.
“Rafael’s laser system, built on our proprietary adaptive optics technology, will undoubtedly be a game-changing system with unprecedented impact on modern warfare.”
Yoav Tourgeman, the company’s CEO, described the development as globally significant, adding:
“In the coming months, we’ll deliver the first Iron Beam system from Rafael’s production lines to the defense establishment - a system that will fundamentally change the defense equation by enabling precise, rapid, and cost-effective interception unmatched by any existing system.”
Rafael/IMoD video showing Iron Beam tests:
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