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Israel has begun rapid deployment of the laser air defense system
In response to recent hostilities against Hamas, Israel has initiated the rapid implementation of the Iron Beam laser air defense system, as reported several sources.
With this strategic decision, operational tests will see the deployment of a 100 kW laser as an active component of the Israel Defense Forces’ arsenal.
Rafael, the company behind the design and manufacturing of the Iron Beam, has tailored the laser system to counteract a broad array of threats.
An anti-rocket, -shell, -mortar, -drone system
The system has demonstrated proficiency in intercepting such threats as rocket artillery shells, mortar mines, and drones from a distance of multiple kilometers.
The cost-effectiveness of the high-energy laser weapon presents a compelling advantage. Each shot from the Iron Beam costs up to a thousand dollars – a stark contrast to the Iron Dome ABM system’s Tamir interceptor missile, valued between 40 and 50 thousand US dollars.
Amid the current high-intensity conflict, Israel grapples with a severe shortfall in ammunition for the Iron Dome system. The United States has responded by transferring missiles from its own reserves to the Israeli army. The Israeli military executed a sequence of successful tests on the Iron Beam in March 2022, in which the prototype effectively destroyed drones, mortar mines, and rockets.
While initial planning estimated the Iron Beam to be included in the IDF’s operations by 2025, current events have necessitated an expedited roll-out. The Iron Beam functions as a strategic companion to the Iron Dome. It is aimed at enhancing Israel’s multilayered air and anti-missile defense system.
At present, the IDF and Rafael possess only prototype laser stations, incapable of providing complete protection for Israeli territories. Thus, the initial use of lasers is expected to be limited to protecting critical areas facing heightened vulnerability.
Furthermore, a recent report disclosed the procurement of the first four prototypes of the newest 50-kilowatt DE M-SHORAD short-range air defense laser systems by the United States Army.
2022, April
In April 2022, Israel’s Ministry of Defense released a declassified video of the Iron Beam tests. The Israeli army demonstrated a new laser anti-aircraft system by intercepting and neutralizing multiple airborne threats in the Negev desert. The event was confirmed by the Ministry of Defense, and it indicates a huge step forward in defense capabilities.
The operation was documented by the military on April 14th. Brig. Gen. [res.] Yaniv Rotem, from the Ministry, praised the technological progress, ease of use, and affordability of the laser system. With frequent targets from Iran, Israel sees the laser system as a crucial tool for readiness against potential large-scale conflicts. Prime Minister Naftali Bennett announced plans to implement the system by the end of 2022.
The new laser system, called the Iron Beam, will work alongside the Iron Dome, increasing coverage and efficiency. However, its effectiveness might be limited under poor weather conditions. There are plans to develop an Iron Beam model for aircraft use, but this might take longer than expected.
Hezbollah’s 13,000 missiles
The Israeli military warns of Hezbollah’s possession of around 13,000 missiles, as well as additional threats from Hamas and the Palestinian Jihad. Another concern is Iran’s anti-Israeli stance and its use of unmanned aerial vehicles.
Given these scenarios, the rollout of the Iron Beam is critical. Paired with the Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow + Patriot, it bolsters Israel’s aerial defense capabilities substantially in preparation for possible future conflicts.
Just $2
Israeli Prime Minister, Naftali Bennett, conveyed his satisfaction with Rafael’s advances in developing strategic defense systems, crucial for maintaining national security.
Drawing a comparison on June 6, 2022, Bennett highlighted the cost-benefit contrast: “While an enemy might invest tens of thousands of dollars in a missile attack, our investment is minimal, merely two dollars towards electricity costs incurred in shooting down such a missile,” he explained.
He further emphasized the transformative role of the Iron Beam. This military system not only counters enemy attacks but also brings an economic burden to foes. Additionally, the Iron Beam’s superiority enables Israel to outrun adversaries, putting it at a significant global advantage. “In all realms and scenarios, we are strategically prepared,” affirmed Bennett.
注释：
arsenal: n
表示"兵工厂；军械库"，means "a place where arms are manufactured"，如：Even the workers at the arsenal have got a secret organization. 兵工厂工人暗中也有组织。
intercept: v
表示" 拦截；阻止"，means " stop and usually catch or destroy (sb or sth moving from one place to another)"，如：It is illegal to intercept a letter or parcel before it is delivered. 在送达之前，中途拦截信件或包裹是非法的。
Mortar: n
表示"灰泥；灰浆; 臼；研钵"，means "used as a bond in masonry or for covering a wall; a bowl-shaped vessel in which substances can be ground and mixed with a pestle"，如：Mortar is used to knit bricks together. 灰泥是用来黏合砖的。The farmers pound rice in a mortar. 农民们在臼中舂米。
grapple: v
表示"抓住；扭打；搏斗"，means "to grip or seize, as in a wrestling match"，如：She grappled with her assailant but her husband got away. 她与袭击者扭打，而她丈夫却逃走了。
ammunition: n
表示"军火；弹药；炮弹"，means " supply of bullets, bombs, grenades, etc. fired from weapons or thrown"，如：There was no ammunition laid up in the storehouses. 仓库里没有贮存军火。
necessitate: v
表示" 使 ... 成为必需；迫使"，means " make necessary"，如：It would be best if these disputes could be resolved without recourse to the courts, but the broad reach of electronic networking will probably necessitate changes in common law. 如果诸如此类的争议可以不上法庭就获得解决，是最好不过了，但电子网路的无远弗届或许会迫使普通法改变。
expedite: v
表示" 加速；加快"，means "speed up the progress of; facilitate"，如：The builders promised to expedite the repairs. 建筑商答应加速修理。
multilayered: adj
表示"adj. 多层的"，means ""，如：Laminated material is two layers or multilayer compound material prepared by pressing with two or more alloys.叠层材料是由两种或两种以上的合金采用压力加工方法制备而成的二层或多层的复合材料。
Palestinian: n
表示" 巴勒斯坦人"，means " of or relating to the area of Palestine and its inhabitants;"，如：The Israeli and Palestinian leaders, Ehud Olmert and Mahmoud Abbas, look weak. 以色列和巴勒斯坦的领导人，奥尔默特和阿巴斯，看起来无能为力。
bolster: v
表示" 支持；鼓励"，means "support and strengthen"，如：Both sides offered statistics to bolster their arguments. 双方都拿出统计数字来支持他们的论点。
outrun: v
表示" 比 ... 跑得更快；超过"，means "run faster than"，如：I bet him he could not outrun me. 我跟他打赌他追不上我。
中文简要说明：
巴勒斯坦激进组织哈玛斯（Hamas）7日突袭以色列，据说他们在短短20分钟内，就向以色列发射了超过5,000枚火箭弹。显然以色列部署的「铁穹」（Iron Dome）防空系统难以招架，以致当地有超过1,300人丧生。
不过，据《保加利亚军事网》（BulgarianMilitary.com）15日报导，以色列为了对付哈玛斯攻击，已火速部署功率100 瓩（kW）的新型「铁束」（Iron Beam）雷射防空系统。
负责设计并打造「铁束」的以色列国防承包商「拉斐尔先进防御系统」（Rafael Advanced Defense Systems）当初针对以国需求，广泛对付来袭的威胁，而量身订做了这套系统。「铁束」经过验证，可以驾轻就熟地从好几公里外拦截火箭炮、迫击炮地雷和无人机等威胁。
这款高能雷射武器具有引人注目的成本效益优势，「铁束」每次发射的成本最多是1000美元（32,270台币），和「铁穹」反弹道飞弹系统（ABM）1枚身价便高达4—5万美元（129—161万台币）的「神秘」（Tamir）拦截飞弹形成了鲜明的对比。
正值以巴激战之际，以色列「铁穹」严重缺乏弹药，而美国已将储备飞弹转交以军。事实上，以军2022年3月时，就对「铁束」进行了一连串成功测试，而原型防空系统有效摧毁了无人机、迫击炮地雷和火箭炮。
尽管以色列原本预计，2025年才要让「铁束」服役，但迫于眼前的现实，只能让它提前入列。基本上「铁束」和「铁穹」有战略互补的关系，目的在于加强以色列的多层防空和反导防御系统。不过，目前以军和拉斐尔只有原型雷射站，还无法全面保护以色列领土。也因此，预料「铁束」最初仅限于用来保护极易遭攻击的重要地区。
另一方面，最近有报导说，美国陆军采购了首批4套最新的50瓩「导能机动短程防空系统」（DE M-SHORAD）原型。
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