Israel’s defense ministry announced Monday that it had acquired a new laser beam system for downing projectiles — one that will not replace the Iron Dome missiles, but will run alongside it, and that will be much cheaper to operate.
Iron Beam looks like something out of a science fiction movie, but it is real. Developed by Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Elbit Systems, with U.S. contractor Lockheed Martin joining in 2022, it will be operational in 2025.
Israel’s Ministry of Defense said in a statement:
The Israel Ministry of Defense signed a landmark deal worth approximately NIS 2 billion (over $500 million) yesterday (Sunday) to expand serial production of Israel’s first domestically developed laser interception system, the Iron Beam, with lead developers Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Elbit Systems.
Enemies of Israel be scared. VERY VERY SCARED.