Elbit Systems is taking Israel’s Iron Beam into the skies, developing an airborne version of the laser weapon for the Israeli Air Force.
The original ground-based variant, developed by Rafael, can fire a 100 to 150-kilowatt solid-state laser from a truck to shoot down drones, rockets, and cruise missiles at a fraction of the cost of conventional interceptors.
Now, Elbit is adapting the tech for airborne platforms, a move that could take the Iron Beam well beyond fixed defenses.
While specifics haven’t been disclosed, potential hosts could include fighter jets like the F-35 and F-15, offering a silent defensive layer, or attack helicopters to boost strike capability.
“We are developing as a prime an airborne high-power solution for the Israeli Air Force and there is a lot of interest for this solution from other customers,” stated Elbit Systems Chief Executive Officer Bezhalel Machlis.
Iron Beam in Action
Iron Beam has already seen combat use against Iranian forces, with earlier demonstrations in 2022 proving it could down drones, shrapnels, and anti-tank missiles in complex scenarios.
Israeli officials said each shot costs about $3.50, a massive drop from the $50,000 price point of one Tamir interceptor missile.
But the system has limits, according to Israel’s Ministry of Defense. In low visibility, the weapon reportedly struggles to detect targets.
“We can only shoot down with a laser what we can see,” said IMOD’s Weapons Development and Technology Infrastructure Administration head Yaniv Rotem.
