"This is a video shared by the Israeli Ministry of Defence and arms producer Rafael, a hint towards the future of anti-drone warfare. In it, they are demonstrating one of their new weapons: a high-energy laser designed to take down aerial threats such as drones, but also rockets and even artillery shells. It's called Iron Beam. Israel claims they have shot down several enemy drones with it already."
"Laser weapons have been a dream for arms manufacturers and militaries since the invention of the laser in 1960. So far, they have remained a dream. But now they seem to be on the brink of a breakthrough. Technological advances have made lasers more robust. At the same time, the rise of drones increases the need for weapons that can shoot them down cheaply and efficiently."
High-energy lasers are being developed to destroy drones, rockets and artillery shells, promising a cheaper alternative to missiles for countering mass drone attacks. Demonstrations of systems such as Israel’s Iron Beam show lasers can track thermal signatures and cause structural failures in small aerial vehicles. Advances in laser robustness and rising drone proliferation have increased demand for directed-energy air-defence. Defence companies are investing heavily and securing major contracts, including a $500m Iron Beam deal and US Navy agreements with Lockheed Martin. Independent market estimates remain limited, but industry activity points to rapid advancement toward operational laser air-defence.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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