Lasers considered a potential technology for drone countermeasures

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Israel Unveils High-Energy Laser System Capable of Repelling Drone Strikes

A new high-energy laser system, dubbed Iron Beam, has been developed by Israeli arms producer Rafael and is being touted as a potential solution for repelling mass drone strikes. The system was recently demonstrated by the Israeli Ministry of Defence, showcasing its ability to take down aerial threats such as drones, rockets, and artillery shells.

According to Iain Boyd, director of the Center for National Security Initiatives at the University of Colorado Boulder, lasers are being considered a viable option for air defence systems due to their potential to provide an affordable and efficient solution. “Lasers might be a solution” when faced with thousands of inexpensive drones, he said.

The Israeli government has awarded Rafael a $500m contract to develop and deploy the Iron Beam system, while the US Navy has contracted Lockheed Martin to supply its ships with defensive high-energy lasers. UK defence firm MBDA has also secured a 316-million-pound ($430m) defence contract to deliver its DragonFire laser weapon system by 2027.

Other countries are also investing in laser technology, including France, which is teaming up with MBDA and other defence players to develop a laser system. The Australian Electro-Optical Systems (EOS), led by German CEO Andreas Schwer, has secured contracts worth $84m and $80m with the Netherlands and South Korea, respectively.

The development of high-energy lasers dates back to the 1960s, but technological advances have made them more robust in recent years. EOS, which is a descendant of the United States’s Strategic Defense Initiative programme, has been working on laser technology for decades and has now shifted its focus to developing systems capable of shooting down drones.

The company employs 500 people and plans to increase its workforce to 700 by the end of next year. If EOS were to make any large acquisitions, the number could potentially rise even higher.

Source: Al Jazeera