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Iron Beam
Iron Beam
DATASHEET
IRON BEAM
A HIGH-POWER LASER WEAPON SYSTEM
warheads. Current Kinetic interseptors systems are insufficient
RAFAEL Advanced Defense Systems has provided pioneering for comprehensive defense against some of these threats.
innovations for the global defense industry for more than Therefore, new solutions are being designed and developed
seven decades, and has accumulated over 20 years of extensive to meet the needs of evolving battlespaces. Whether fixed or
experience and in-depth knowledge regarding Directed Energy mobile, they will require a modular configuration, and should
(DE) and, in particular, High Energy Lasers (HEL). In the last be operable either as stand-alone systems or as part of an
few years, RAFAEL has achieved significant technological integrated air defense system.
breakthroughs which have allowed the development of a
complete HEL weapon system. RAFAEL serves as the National
Laser Warfare Center of Excellence, and the National HEL
Lethality Infrastructure. Working closely with the Israeli Ministry The Advantages of HEL Interception
of Defense, the company was selected as the Prime Contractor Technology
for the development of IRON BEAM.
High Energy Laser interception systems provide unique benefits
that can meet these evolving needs. HEL interceptors can
quickly and effectively engage and neutralize a variety of types
The Need for a New Type of Defense System
of threats – including small and short-range ballistic threats
Rapidly multiplying and increasingly sophisticated threats have such as small-caliber mortars, rockets, artillery, and UAVs of
resulted in the critical need to successfully, and in near-real- various sizes. These interceptors engage the various types of
time, engage airborne threats with C-RAM (Counter Rockets, threats with pinpoint accuracy using an unlimited magazine
Artillery, and Mortars) as well as C-UAV (Counter Unmanned – while causing limited collateral damage, and at almost zero
Aerial Vehicles including C-mUAV) capabilities. Mini-UAVs have cost per intercept. They are expected to play a critical role in
become a substantial emerging threat for both military and future warfare – protecting deployed and maneuvering forces
civilian installations, with swarms of mini-UAVs increasingly and strategic assets, as well as populated and urban areas,
being used for surveillance and attacks, often with explosive from multiple threats.
RAFAEL’s HEL History Channels Optical Director Beam
Capabilities Proven
• 2009 - ATGM interception
• 2010 - Mortars interception
• 2012 - Production of BD 500mm
• 2014 - Fast maneuver tracking and interception
• 2015 - UAVs interception
• 2018 - Drones interception by LITE BEAM
LRF
• 2020 - Initial integration to Iron Dome
• 2021 - Initiation of IRON BEAM FSD project HEL transmitter Laser
Multichannel Illuminator
Visible Zoom
Wide/Narrow FOV Thermal CTU
Multichannel