Latest news with #Rafael
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Israel claims drone interceptions with high-power lasers
JERUSALEM — The Israeli military this week said it had intercepted about 40 unmanned aerial vehicles by high-power laser systems in the wider Gaza war, a first in a combat engagement. The majority of interceptions were of Hezbollah UAVs from Israel's Northern border, along with other unspecified battle arenas, the government said. The systems were operated by the Israeli Air Force's new tactical air defense battalion, which was attached to the IDF's Northern Command during the war. The Israeli Ministry of Defense declined to specify which systems brought down the drones, saying only that no Iron Beam components were involved. Iron Beam describes Israel's main laser-defense architecture, meant to work in tandem with the kinetic interceptor-based Iron Dome. In released images accompanying the announcement, Rafael's Lite Beam system can be seen. Israeli defense officials also point to an Iron Beam-M system that Rafael unveiled during last year's AUSA exhibit in Washington. A Rafael spokesperson declined to clarify which company weapons were involved in the combat engagement. Rafael's website says that the Lite Beam is a 10-kW class high energy laser weapon system (HELWS) for countering a wide range of low altitude aerial threats including small UAVs and swarms of drones alongside ground-based threats. It is designed for light 4×4 vehicles as well as for 6×6, 8×8, and tracked armored fighting vehicles. The weapon focuses intense heat on a coin-sized spot, neutralizing up to 10 targets simultaneously at ranges of up to a few kilometers, according to Rafael. The Iron Beam-M system is based on the larger Iron Beam system, but modified for mobility. According to Rafael, the system employs a 50-kW laser.
Hans India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
CM calls for Change of guard at Centre
Hyderabad: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy underscored the need for change in national leadership as Prime Minister Narendra Modi failed to teach a befitting lesson to Pakistan in the recent Operation Sindoor offensive. Likening Modi to 'demonetised Rs 1000-currency note' in the wake of the recent India-Pakistan ceasefire, Revanth Reddy emphasised that had it been Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Modi's position, he, inspired by his grandmother Indira Gandhi, would have broken Pakistan into pieces and taken possession of the Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), besides liberating Balochistan. Addressing the Jai Hind rally in the city on Thursday, which was attended by AICC state in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan, PCC president B Mahesh Kumar Goud, several ministers and ex-servicemen, the CM urged the participants to ensure that Rahul Gandhi became the Prime Minister of the nation as he would repeat the feat of 'Apara Kali' Indira Gandhi who broke Pakistan into pieces. Recalling India's victories against Pakistan under the leadership of former prime minister Indira Gandhi, the Chief Minister remarked that the war was not for the fainthearted. 'Those who lead the war should have valour, spine, planning, strategy and bravery,' he said to the cheers of the audience. While referring to various defence manufacturing units in Hyderabad, Reddy said that had the present BJP government engaged indigenously developed jet fighters, the situation would have been quite different during the aerial combat with Pakistan. 'Hyderabad houses one of the largest cantonments in the country, where fighter jets also get manufactured. Had the government procured indigenous jets, we would have saved our face. Instead, the Modi government decided to procure Rafael for the sake of contractors, but those fighter jets were shot down by Pakistan. How many Rafael jets were shot down by Pakistan? Why is there no discussion on the matter? Modi should answer these questions,' Revanth Reddy demanded. Critical of the Tiranga Yatra organised by the BJP, the Chief Minister asked as to what the BJP government was celebrating about when US President Donald claimed that he was instrumental in the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan. 'We announced all our support to the Modi government at the critical juncture when an all-party meet was organised. But when Trump made his announcement, the Central government did not convene an all-party meeting. Why no opinion was sought from political parties following the ceasefire announcement,' he asked.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Israel's billion-dollar laser weapon could dominate global defense – or be killed by politics
Israel's laser weapons debut in combat as NATO eyes next-gen defenses. Low-cost, battlefield-proven tech—but geopolitics may block export deals. The Defense Ministry's confirmation that Rafael's laser interception systems were used during the ongoing Swords of Iron war comes at a pivotal moment. NATO countries are preparing to raise their defense spending to 5% of gross domestic product (GDP), a shift expected to generate some €800 billion in procurement. With Israeli companies Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Elbit Systems already embedded in NATO supply chains, their next-generation laser systems could become Israel's next multi-billion-dollar defense export—if diplomatic friction doesn't block the path. Despite more than 10,000 successful interceptions since 2011, Israel's Iron Dome air-defense system—developed by Rafael—has never been sold as a full system to any foreign country. While the United Kingdom purchased its battle management center and the United States Marine Corps acquired its interceptors, no nation to date has received the complete platform. This contrasts with the international success of other Israeli air-defense systems. The Arrow 3, developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), was sold to Germany in a $3.5 billion deal. David's Sling, another Rafael system, was sold to Finland for €317 million. Rafael's Barak MX system has racked up roughly $10 billion in global sales. Despite Iron Dome's strong brand recognition, it has lagged behind these systems in terms of foreign adoption. Meanwhile, other Israeli-made weapons have already become NATO standards. Rafael's Spike anti-tank guided missiles have been sold in the billions of dollars and are produced in Germany, with previous manufacturing in Poland. In recent years, Elbit's PULS rocket artillery system has gained momentum, with confirmed sales to Germany, the Netherlands, and Denmark—alongside several undisclosed NATO members. Ukraine's successful use of comparable systems against Russian targets has only added to the demand. Israel now hopes its laser-based interception technology will be next in line for global adoption—and it's betting billions on it. The Defense Ministry recently disclosed the existence of two laser systems: Magen Or (Iron Beam), a high-powered 100-kilowatt laser developed jointly by Rafael and Elbit Systems, and Lahav Barzel (Iron Sting), a smaller 30-kilowatt system designed by Rafael. Magen Or has intercepted short-range rockets at distances of up to 10 kilometers in tests. The IDF is expected to deploy an operational version by the end of the year. Lahav Barzel, which was used in combat for the first time during Swords of Iron, is more compact and energy-efficient. Rafael and Israeli vehicle manufacturer Plasan have already developed a mobile version mounted on Plasan's SandCat armored vehicle, enabling rapid redeployment between combat zones. Footage released by the Defense Ministry showed Lahav Barzel successfully intercepting unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) launched by Hezbollah. The laser doesn't obliterate the drones in dramatic fashion—rather, it focuses heat on the drone's wing or fuselage until the structural integrity fails and the UAV crashes. The cost per interception is just a few dollars, limited to the electricity required to power the laser. By contrast, using interceptor missiles or air-to-air munitions can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars per engagement. For American readers, that cost-efficiency could resonate strongly, particularly given current U.S. debates over defense budgets and aid allocations. As warfare becomes increasingly reliant on drone technology—seen most visibly in Ukraine and Russia's tit-for-tat strikes involving hundreds of UAVs each week—Israel's laser defense systems offer something rare: proven battlefield results at a fraction of the price. The case for Israel's laser technology is not only tactical but financial. However, Rafael CEO Yoav Turgeman acknowledged that export success also depends on geopolitical considerations—particularly growing European criticism of Israeli operations in Gaza. France, for example, reportedly attempted to dissuade Germany from purchasing the Arrow 3 system, and other European countries have downplayed their acquisitions of Israeli-made systems in response to domestic political concerns. While some European defense ministries are eager to procure Israeli technologies, officials are increasingly constrained by the political environment. Nevertheless, the security rationale remains persuasive. NATO states such as Finland, Sweden, Poland, and Germany—countries increasingly concerned about potential Russian aggression—view laser interception systems as a vital new layer of defense. While the United States has deployed 60-kilowatt laser systems on naval vessels, Israel appears poised to be the first country to field a land-based laser system in operational service.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Israel's Iron Beam Laser Air Defense System Has Downed Enemy Drones
Israel has used a new air defense laser to shoot down Hezbollah drones in the current conflict in the Middle East, it has been confirmed. What is described as an adapted version of the Iron Beam system made its combat debut last October, and the definitive version should be fielded by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) later this year, joining an already formidable, layered air defense network, something you can read about in more detail here. The use of the Iron Beam — also known by its Hebrew name Magen Or — was announced by the IDF, Israeli Air Force (IAF), and defense contractor Rafael, in a joint statement. These three organizations, it is said, 'executed an accelerated development program to deploy revolutionary interception systems,' as part of an effort that also involved Israel's Directorate of Defense Research and Development. A World First — Combat-Proven Laser Defense, Powered by RafaelFor the first time in history, high-power laser systems have been used to intercept aerial threats in unprecedented breakthrough took place during the Swords of Iron War — with Rafael's advanced… — Rafael Advanced Defense Systems (@RAFAELdefense) May 28, 2025 The crash program saw the Iron Beam fielded by the IAF Aerial Defense Array, which used prototypes of the high-power laser to successfully intercept 'scores of enemy threats.' Israeli media outlets described the Iron Beam as initially deployed as a 'scaled-down version' of the definitive system, but provided no further details of how it differed or how the batteries were set up. In its definitive form, Iron Beam is trailer-mounted and uses a directed-energy weapon to destroy targets, including rockets, mortars, and drones. In the past, reports described the system as firing 'an electric 100-150 kW solid-state laser that will be capable of intercepting rockets and missiles.' In April 2022, IDF Brig. Gen. Yaniv Rotem said that the Iron Beam had been tested at 'challenging' ranges and timings,' according to the Times of Israel. 'The use of a laser is a 'game changer' and the technology is simple to operate and proves to be economically viable,' Rotem added. That particular test included the 'interception of shrapnel, rockets, anti-tank missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles, in a variety of complex scenarios,' according to the Israeli Ministry of Defense. 'Israel is one of the first countries in the world to succeed in developing powerful laser technology in operational standards and demonstrate interception in an operational scenario,' the ministry added. At the same time, the IDF posted a 103-second video online, showcasing what it claimed was the system locking on and destroying rockets, mortars, and a drone. In general, developing and fielding a practical air defense laser has long been a challenge for many different countries, but for Israel, the benefits of such a system are especially obvious. For years now, the IDF has faced the threat of large-scale barrage-type attacks by one or more of its adversaries, including significant numbers of relatively low-cost rockets, artillery shells, and mortar rounds. Until now, defense against attacks of this kind has been entrusted to the Iron Dome system, which was developed specifically to counter small and fast-flying targets. Multiple accounts testify to the effectiveness of Iron Dome, although this comes at considerable expense, since it burns through a significant quantity of Tamir missile interceptors. Larger barrage attacks risk exhausting the stocks of Tamir interceptors altogether, at least in the short term. In contrast, Iron Beam can engage many targets at a drastically reduced cost. In April 2022, Israel's then-Prime Minister Naftali Bennett stated that Iron Beam was able to shoot down targets at a cost of $3.50 per shot. Israel has successfully tested the new 'Iron Beam' laser interception is the world's first energy-based weapons system that uses a laser to shoot down incoming UAVs, rockets & mortars at a cost of $3.50 per may sound like science fiction, but it's real. — Naftali Bennett נפתלי בנט (@naftalibennett) April 14, 2022 More recent reports put the cost of a single Iron Beam shot close to $2.50. Regardless, this is a huge difference compared to the roughly $50,000 price tag — which is among the lowest estimates — for a single Tamir interceptor missile. Even before the latest conflict in the Middle East, Israel was accelerating its plans to deploy Iron Beam, which was originally expected to go online in 2024. A key driver behind this was the worry that interceptor missiles for the Iron Dome and other systems could be exhausted in a more intense, longer-lasting campaign. Prior to the latest hostilities, it was assessed that Hezbollah had an arsenal of around 130,000 rockets, missiles, and mortar shells, while, in Gaza, Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad had many thousands of additional rockets and mortar shells. At the same time, there is a growing threat from long-range one-way attack drones, many of them supplied by Iran, which have also seen significant use in the current conflict. Notably, only Hezbollah drones are mentioned as having been shot down by the interim Iron Beam in the October engagements, although there may well have been other kinds of targets, too. Approx. 40 launches were identified crossing from Lebanese territory, some of which were IDF Aerial Defense Array successfully intercepted 2 Hezbollah explosive UAVs that crossed from Lebanon into Israeli territory earlier this evening. — Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) April 12, 2024 At the same time, laser weapons do have limitations, including their short-term magazine depth being limited to how many successive shots they can fire before thermal loads require the system to cool down. Additionally, laser systems don't function as well in heavy cloud cover and other inclement weather. 'We can only shoot down with a laser what we can see,' Brig. Gen. Rotem previously told the Times of Israel. At the same time, a laser weapon of this kind is very much a point-defense weapon, with its short range meaning that multiple systems will be needed to provide coverage of a significant area. In some situations, even a single very large military base might require multiple such systems to provide adequate defense. With that in mind, Iron Beam is viewed as a system that's complementary to Iron Dome and other kinetic systems, rather than a replacement. Once again, while we don't know in what kind of form the interim Iron Beam was fielded, reports indicate that it was successful, at least to a degree. 'The State of Israel is the first in the world to demonstrate large-scale operational laser interception capabilities,' said Dr. Daniel Gold, the head of the Directorate of Defense Research and Development, who previously helped create the Iron Dome. 'Our vision for deploying laser weapons was realized during the war with tremendous technological and operational success,' Gold added. Gold also suggested that the IDF plans to field similar kinds of laser-based interception systems on aircraft and on warships. Israel has already tested at least one high-powered airborne laser weapon, with the Ministry of Defense announcing in 2021 that it had successfully intercepted several target drones using a system of this kind. You can read more about that test here. Intriguingly, Israeli defense company Elbit Systems responded to news of the combat use of Iron Beam with a tweet with an illustration of an unnamed pod-based laser weapon arming an F-16 fighter. The accompanying text stated: 'At Elbit Systems, hundreds of engineers and experts are working every day on the next frontier: airborne high-power laser systems. This is our mission. This is our future.' Notably, developing and fielding an airborne laser system has proven elusive in the United States, something that TWZ has reported on on various occasions in the past. All things considered, laser weapons are still very much in their infancy. But the fact that Israel rushed a version of its Iron Beam into service last year indicates just how valuable this technology is considered. While laser weapons are not a cure-all for air defense needs, they clearly have a place, and the definitive version of Iron Beam will be a valuable addition to Israel's already impressive multi-layered air defense array. Contact the author: thomas@
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Israel Lasers Intercept ‘Dozens' of Drones in Major Leap
Israel's military used a high-powered laser to take out drones in combat, the Israeli Defense Ministry said, a significant step toward laser technology being used to intercept real-life threats on the battlefield. Two laser air defense systems have intercepted "dozens and dozens" of threats, most of which were unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) launched by Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah from Lebanon, retired Brigadier General Daniel Gold, the head of defense research and development for the Israeli Defense Ministry, told Newsweek. Israel first used a laser system in the early days of the war, Gold said. Israel launched a full-scale war on Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza following the organization's unprecedented October 7 attacks in 2023, and battled Hamas-aligned Hezbollah over Israel's northern border until a fragile ceasefire ended full-scale hostilities in November 2024. Israel is one of several countries developing high-powered lasers to take out threats in the sky, most suited to intercepting cheap drones that would be incredibly expensive to shoot down with interceptor missiles. While costing almost nothing to fire, the setup costs for these laser systems are huge. But interceptor missiles for Israel's vaunted Iron Dome short-range air defense system cost tens of thousands of dollars each, racking up an eye-watering bill when defending against high numbers of targets. Analysts say lasers, a type of directed energy weapon, can be very useful as part of a larger web of air defenses, able to knock out smaller, slower targets but vulnerable to bad weather conditions. The U.S. military said in 2024 the Army had used lasers to intercept drones in the Middle East, but did not provide further details. The U.S. military has tested directed energy weapons in the Middle East, the commander of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), General Michael Erik Kurilla, separately told lawmakers back in March 2024. The Israeli Defense Ministry said the government, military and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems—Israel's state-owned defense giant—had accelerated the development of "revolutionary" systems and achieved "outstanding" results. It is a "major milestone," Gold said. Rafael's chairman, Yuval Steinitz, said Israel was the "first country in the world to transform high-power laser technology into a fully operational system—and to execute actual combat interceptions." Rafael is also building the Iron Beam laser system, expected to come into service in the latter half of the year. "This system will fundamentally change the defense equation by enabling fast, precise, cost-effective interceptions, unmatched by any existing system," said Rafael chief executive, Yoav Tourgeman. The two deployed laser systems are lower-powered, more mobile and slightly less costly than the Iron Beam, Gold said. The Israeli government published footage it said showed the laser systems in action during the war. One clip looks to show at least one fixed-wing drone falling from the air after one of the wings is damaged by a laser. The footage is "entirely plausible," said David Hambling, a U.K.-based weapons and technology expert. "Drones are great targets for lasers because they are much smaller and more fragile than crewed aircraft and generally fly at slow speed without evading," he told Newsweek. "This make sit possible to focus a laser on one for long enough to burn through the skin and cause real damage, which is exactly what the video appears to show." But with drone technology evolving at a rapid pace, they could end up fitted with countermeasures to make it much harder for lasers to intercept these targets, Hambling suggested. The U.K. military said in April that British soldiers had used an "invisible radio-wave weapon" to knock out swarms of drones for the first time. Radio waves can be used as another type of directed energy weapon. The U.K. is also developing a laser-directed energy weapon dubbed DragonFire. Related Articles Iran May Hold the Key to Trump's Nuclear RevolutionUS and Iran Nuclear Deal Could Be Sealed at Next Meeting: ReportViral Video Shows Gazans Cheering USA. But Is It Real?Trump Says Iran Strike Would Be 'Inappropriate' for Israel Amid Talks 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
