Israel has successfully completed a live-fire test of an upgraded Iron Dome system that integrates a high-power laser for interception, according to the Defense Ministry and the IDF. The test, conducted in recent days, marks a significant step toward fielding directed-energy capabilities within Israel's multi-layered air defense network. Official details on the laser's range and power output have not been disclosed.
The Defense Ministry and the IDF announced Tuesday evening that an upgraded Iron Dome system, integrated with a high-power laser directed-energy weapon, was successfully tested in a live-fire exercise. The interception capability reportedly combines the proven kinetic interceptor of the Iron Dome with a laser-based system, likely a variant of the Rafael-developed Iron Beam. The joint exercise, which focused on multiple aerial threats, builds on a similar drill conducted earlier this week, as The Zioneer reported on Tuesday at 18:45 Jerusalem, which coordinated Iron Dome and Iron Beam against drone swarms. While the laser component remains in field-testing, the integration into operational Iron Dome batteries marks a major milestone in Israel's push to field a low-cost, high-volume directed-energy layer within its air defense architecture. Official specifics on the laser's power, range, and the number of successful intercepts have not been released. The announcement follows recent advances in directed-energy systems globally, including the US Golden Dome initiative.
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