Recent news items reported approval by the Ministry of Defense for the operational activation of the powerful Light Shield / Iron Beam laser system, which was developed in recent years in Israel, about two years ahead of schedule. The approval from the Ministry of Defense enables the proof in real time of the operational feasibility of the laser system and the command and control system that accompanies it.
The State of Israel faces a variety of aerial threats, mainly short, medium, and long range rockets and missiles, as well as a variety of ballistic missiles. Another threat at the tactical and strategic level is the widespread use of drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), air gliders, and paragliders by the terrorist armies surrounding the State of Israel, as well as the widespread use of mortar bombs against forces located in assembly areas or in outposts.
The operational significance of the decision to activate the Light Shield system is a significant addition to the IDF's air defense layers, which currently provide protection against aircraft, rockets, and missiles with a short and medium range and against ballistic missiles of various types, but are limited in their performance against low-flying targets, which have a Low radar signature and short range. The advantages of the laser weapon lie in the high energy power it produces, the speed of hitting the target (the beam moves at the speed of light), continuous operation without the need for “reloading,” and the negligible cost of activating the laser when firing. These advantages allow the ongoing simultaneous engagement of several targets, including those from low altitudes and with short ranges up to approximately 8 km.
In conclusion, the advantage of introducing the Light Shield into the operational array is that it will allow flexibility for the IDF's air defense systems and the addition of interception means against inexpensive aircraft operating in the combat space in the south and north, and thus will allow the targeting of kinetic interception means against rocket threats and missiles in civilian space and against strategic targets.
Recent news items reported approval by the Ministry of Defense for the operational activation of the powerful Light Shield / Iron Beam laser system, which was developed in recent years in Israel, about two years ahead of schedule. The approval from the Ministry of Defense enables the proof in real time of the operational feasibility of the laser system and the command and control system that accompanies it.
The State of Israel faces a variety of aerial threats, mainly short, medium, and long range rockets and missiles, as well as a variety of ballistic missiles. Another threat at the tactical and strategic level is the widespread use of drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), air gliders, and paragliders by the terrorist armies surrounding the State of Israel, as well as the widespread use of mortar bombs against forces located in assembly areas or in outposts.
The operational significance of the decision to activate the Light Shield system is a significant addition to the IDF's air defense layers, which currently provide protection against aircraft, rockets, and missiles with a short and medium range and against ballistic missiles of various types, but are limited in their performance against low-flying targets, which have a Low radar signature and short range. The advantages of the laser weapon lie in the high energy power it produces, the speed of hitting the target (the beam moves at the speed of light), continuous operation without the need for “reloading,” and the negligible cost of activating the laser when firing. These advantages allow the ongoing simultaneous engagement of several targets, including those from low altitudes and with short ranges up to approximately 8 km.
In conclusion, the advantage of introducing the Light Shield into the operational array is that it will allow flexibility for the IDF's air defense systems and the addition of interception means against inexpensive aircraft operating in the combat space in the south and north, and thus will allow the targeting of kinetic interception means against rocket threats and missiles in civilian space and against strategic targets.