Iron Beam Air Defense Explained
The Iron Beam laser is set to transform air defense economics, complementing the Iron Dome system. Israel's Iron Beam could revolutionize air defense forever.
The Threat Landscape
In complex, tech-driven war zones, the threat is increasingly unpredictable, with simple rockets, artillery shells, swarming drones, low-cost projectiles, and complex missile volleys being used in combination.
Israel's Air Defense Systems
Two air-defense systems developed in Israel address this shift: Iron Dome, a kinetic interceptor system in service for over a decade, and Iron Beam, a laser-based directed-energy weapon system nearing operational deployment.
System Comparison
The two systems operate differently, with distinct technical attributes and cost implications, and play unique roles within the broader air defense architecture. Iron Dome's architecture combines three key subsystems.
How Israel’s Iron Beam could change air defense forever.
Author's summary: Iron Beam transforms air defense economics.
- Iron Dome: kinetic interceptor system
- Iron Beam: laser-based directed-energy weapon system