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Tel Aviv, Nov. 2 (DPnet).– Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel’s Ministry of Defense completed development of the Iron Beam high-power laser air defense system following a series of tests in southern Israel, the company announced last October in a statement.

The trials, conducted in collaboration with the Israeli Air Force and facilitated by Elbit Systems, aimed to demonstrate the system's capacity to effectively intercept projectiles, including rockets, mortars, uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), and manned aircraft across various operational scenarios, as outlined in the statement. This testing phase represents the final stage prior to the delivery of initial units to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), with operational deployment anticipated by the end of the year, as reported by the company.

Iron Beam is designed as a ground-based system to complement existing layered defenses that include Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow. Regarding USA air defenses, the US DoD seeks out contract bids for its ambitious, yet controversial Golden Dome aerial defense shield, and the Israeli defense firm Rafael CEO Yoav Turgeman thinks his company’s “Iron Beam” would make a great addition. 

Iron Beam is nearing operational capability following several years of development and will be integrated into Israel’s existing Iron Dome aerial defense system, which has demonstrated significant effectiveness during the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Currently, the Iron Dome employs individual missile interceptors to counteract incoming aerial threats. The introduction of this innovative technology has the potential to transform Israel’s defense capabilities.

Up to now, Iron Dome’s architecture combines three key subsystems. A radar (EL/M-2084) that detects and tracks inbound threats. A battle management and weapon control center that computes whether a projectile’s trajectory will impact a protected area. And finally, launcher units firing guided interceptor missiles known as Tamir. The decision logic is important. The system does not attempt to engage every inbound rocket or shell, but only those that would strike a defined zone. This selective engagement helps keep interception costs down. 

Iron Beam represents a radically different approach. Instead of firing a projectile to intercept an incoming threat, it uses laser energy to disable, destroy, or otherwise neutralize the threat at a relatively short range. The system, developed by Rafael and Elbit Systems, has reportedly passed final testing as of September 2025 and is on track for operational deployment. Unlike missiles, the “ammo” is essentially electricity. The marginal cost per engagement quoted is extremely low (some sources indicate just a few US dollars per shot).