Iran’s missile and drone attack on Israel on May 14 once again brings up the question of the potential use of laser weapons against aerial threats. The laser weapon we are discussing is a tactical weapon with a power ranging from 100 to 300 kilowatts. This weapon has clear advantages against threats fired at short range and low altitude. These threats include mortar bombs or short-range rockets such as the Burkan, which Hezbollah often uses, as well as drones or UAVs.
The laser beam is a precise and indestructible weapon that can reach its target in an average of a few kilometers in a millionth of a second and destroys the target in a certain amount of time, depending on the power of the laser and the material from which the target is made. It should be noted that the laser weapon has a fundamental flaw that arises from environmental conditions, such as cloudiness, haze, rain, or smoke, which significantly decreases its power when passing through the atmosphere and therefore limits its operational effectiveness.
The system being developed in Israel (which will likely be operational in a year or a year and a half) has unique control, detection, and surveillance capabilities. These capabilities enable the engagement of several threats in a short period of time, while overcoming optical distortions caused by atmospheric turbulence. This gives the system significant potential for success in protecting targets and military forces from various aerial threats.
Similar systems with capacities of 60–120 kilowatts are currently being developed in several countries. According to official publications, a number of companies in the United States are involved in developing laser systems. For example, Lockheed Martin and the US Navy are collaborating on developing laser systems for the protection of naval vessels. The US Navy is developing a separate 300 kW defensive laser system with a different architecture. At the same time, there have been successful trials of a laser weapon (DragonFire) for ship protection, developed by the British Ministry of Defense. This system may be deployed in Ukraine to address aerial threats. In September 2023, three laser systems manufactured by the RTX company, mounted on a Stryker combat vehicle, with a power of 50 kW, were deployed for operational testing in Iraq, with the aim of protecting US ground forces against drones, UAVs, and artillery shells.
It is important to emphasize that the laser system designed for protection against aerial threats is an additional layer of protection in the IDF’s kinetic defense and does not guarantee complete protection.
In conclusion, a tactical laser weapon appears to be an optimal solution against suicide drones or UAVs, while combined systems that integrate lasers and powerful microwave transmitters seem to be the most effective against aerial threats, especially swarms of UAVs and drones.
Iran’s missile and drone attack on Israel on May 14 once again brings up the question of the potential use of laser weapons against aerial threats. The laser weapon we are discussing is a tactical weapon with a power ranging from 100 to 300 kilowatts. This weapon has clear advantages against threats fired at short range and low altitude. These threats include mortar bombs or short-range rockets such as the Burkan, which Hezbollah often uses, as well as drones or UAVs.
The laser beam is a precise and indestructible weapon that can reach its target in an average of a few kilometers in a millionth of a second and destroys the target in a certain amount of time, depending on the power of the laser and the material from which the target is made. It should be noted that the laser weapon has a fundamental flaw that arises from environmental conditions, such as cloudiness, haze, rain, or smoke, which significantly decreases its power when passing through the atmosphere and therefore limits its operational effectiveness.
The system being developed in Israel (which will likely be operational in a year or a year and a half) has unique control, detection, and surveillance capabilities. These capabilities enable the engagement of several threats in a short period of time, while overcoming optical distortions caused by atmospheric turbulence. This gives the system significant potential for success in protecting targets and military forces from various aerial threats.
Similar systems with capacities of 60–120 kilowatts are currently being developed in several countries. According to official publications, a number of companies in the United States are involved in developing laser systems. For example, Lockheed Martin and the US Navy are collaborating on developing laser systems for the protection of naval vessels. The US Navy is developing a separate 300 kW defensive laser system with a different architecture. At the same time, there have been successful trials of a laser weapon (DragonFire) for ship protection, developed by the British Ministry of Defense. This system may be deployed in Ukraine to address aerial threats. In September 2023, three laser systems manufactured by the RTX company, mounted on a Stryker combat vehicle, with a power of 50 kW, were deployed for operational testing in Iraq, with the aim of protecting US ground forces against drones, UAVs, and artillery shells.
It is important to emphasize that the laser system designed for protection against aerial threats is an additional layer of protection in the IDF’s kinetic defense and does not guarantee complete protection.
In conclusion, a tactical laser weapon appears to be an optimal solution against suicide drones or UAVs, while combined systems that integrate lasers and powerful microwave transmitters seem to be the most effective against aerial threats, especially swarms of UAVs and drones.