Israel becomes First Country to shoot down enemy Drones with Laser Weapon | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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Israel becomes First Country to shoot down enemy Drones with Laser Weapon

Posted 02 Jun 2025

2 min read

This unprecedented breakthrough occurred during the ongoing conflict in Gaza where Israel Air Force's Aerial Defense Array used the prototype laser air defences to reach a significant milestone in modern warfare.

  • It is described as an adapted version of the Iron Beam system.

What is Iron Beam?

  • Also known by its Hebrew name Magen Or.
  • Developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.
  • It is a 100kW class High Energy Laser Weapon System (HELWS).
    • HELWS are a type of Directed Energy Weapon (DEW).
      • DEWs use concentrated energy from electromagnetic or particle technology, rather than kinetic energy, to degrade or destroy targets.
  • The system can neutralize multiple threat types including RAM (Rockets, Artillery, and Mortars), Cruise missiles, UAVs (drones) etc.

Key Benefits of HELWS

  • Precision: Neutralizes aerial threats with pinpoint accuracy at ranges of up to 10 km ensures minimal collateral and environmental damage.
  • Interoperability: Can easily integrate with variety of platforms and systems as part of a multilayered defense system or can be operated as a standalone system.
  • Cost efficient: Almost zero cost per intercept.
  • Other: Engaging target at the speed of light, protects military forces and civilian populations, etc.

Limitations of HELWS

  • Thermal Constraints: Limited magazine depth due to overheating; the system must pause after successive shots to cool down.
  • Weather Sensitivity: Can’t function well in heavy cloud cover and other inclement weather.

Other DEW Systems

  • USA: High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical-dazzler and Surveillance (HELIOS) system; Directed Energy Maneuver-Short Range Air Defense (DE M-SHORAD) system.
  • China: Hurricane-3000 and Silent Hunter.
  • UK: DragonFire, Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon (RFDEW).
  • Russia: Peresvet laser.
  • India: Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction System (IDD&IS) Mk2A by DRDO.
  • Tags :
  • Iron Beam
  • Directed Energy Weapon
  • High Energy Laser Weapon System
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