Iron Beam

Iron Beam is a directed-energy weapon (DEW) air defense system developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems of Israel. It is designed to intercept and destroy short-range threats such as rockets, artillery, and mortars (RAM), as well as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), including drones.

The system utilizes a high-energy fiber laser to thermally disable or destroy targets. Its purported advantages include a lower cost per interception compared to traditional missile interceptors, an unlimited magazine, and reduced collateral damage due to its precision targeting capabilities.

Iron Beam is intended to complement existing air defense systems like Iron Dome, David's Sling, and Arrow, providing a layered defense against a wide spectrum of aerial threats. It is designed to engage targets at very short ranges where kinetic interceptors might be less effective or cost-prohibitive.

The system is typically mounted on a ground-based platform and can be integrated with radar and electro-optical sensors to detect, track, and engage targets. Its operational readiness and effectiveness are subject to ongoing testing and evaluation, with deployment and integration strategies still under development.