JERUSALEM — Rafael Advanced Defense Systems is using the UK’s DSEI defense exhibition this week to publicly display its latest laser air defense system, Iron Beam 450.
The platform joins a family of high-energy and laser systems made by Rafael, but the company says it has “greater range, speed of interception and a sustainable cost-per-engagement model.”
“The unveiling of the Iron Beam 450 at DSEI shows how breakthroughs in high power laser technology revolutionize the air defense equation enabling very low cost, high efficiency interceptions,” Yoav Tourgeman, the CEO and President of Rafael said in a statement distributed by the company.
Rafael first mentioned Iron Beam 450 when it announced a line of laser air defenses ahead of the Paris Air Show in June
It’s appears to be the largest of the three laser systems that Rafael has publicly announced so far. The company had unveiled a light weight, vehicle-based system called Lite Beam at AUSA in 2024. The high-energy laser weapon family of Rafael also includes a system it calls Iron Beam-M, and a naval Iron Beam.
“Together these systems provide a layered set of integrated directed-energy solutions as part of national air defense architecture,” the company said in a statement. The naval Iron Beam is also being showcased as part of the maritime portfolio of the company at DSEI.
Iron Beam 450 derives its name from the 450mm aperture of the system. Each of the company’s lasers have different strengths. The smaller, Lite Beam is a 10Kw laser, while Iron Beam-M is a 50Kw laser. The Iron Beam-M can be mounted on a vehicle and has a 250mm aperture.
A photo distributed by the company shows Iron Beam 450 next to the Iron Beam-M and the Lite Beam. Although the device doesn’t much larger than the other two systems, the large size of its aperture is clearly visible. Its mounting gimble also appears different.
The unveiling comes as militaries the world over race for affordable counter-drone systems, so they’re not forced to use munitions that can costs tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars to shoot down drones that cost just hundreds. Israel, in particular, has acknowledged the use of some Rafael high-energy systems in defense of its homeland during conflicts over the last two years.
Still, it’s an awkward moment for Israeli firms at DSEI. Organizers have not invited Israeli officials to the show in a protest to the Israeli military’s conduct in Gaza, and Israel’s Ministry of Defense is not attending. Nevertheless many Israeli companies are attending. Reports in the UK suggest protesters are expected to target the 51 Israeli defense companies will be there.