One “shot” with this weapon costs a thousand dollars, which allows for significant savings money.
Israeli defense company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems announced a new version of its high-energy laser weapon Lite Beam (“Light beam”), designed to defend against aerial threats, including drones, missiles and mortars projectiles.
According to ArmyInform, the 10 kW system is a cost-effective solution for operational protection during ground operations.
Lite Beam is a mobile adaptation of the more powerful 100 kW Iron Beam laser installation, capable of destroying targets at a distance of several kilometers. The system can also neutralize improvised explosive devices and other ground threats. Compared to previous 7.5 kW Lite Beam models, the new version has increased power and is capable of destroying targets up to 2 km away, competing with similar systems such as Jupiter from MBDA and Rheinmetall.
200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000Lite Beam features an advanced tracking system that allows for precise tracking of targets and easily integrates with other anti-unmanned aerial vehicles (C-UAV) systems. Thanks to its modular design, the laser installation can be installed on various platforms, including armored vehicles, ships and fixed ground positions. The system can work both from diesel generators and from batteries, which provides flexibility in choosing a power source.
Among the key advantages of the new laser weapon – saving. For example, one Iron Beam “shot” costs about one thousand dollars, which is much cheaper compared to the Tamir missiles used in the Iron Dome system (“Iron Dome”), where each interception costs 40-50 thousand dollars.
The Rafael laser system also has an “unlimited magazine” of shots, which eliminates the need for reloading and avoids the formation of debris after destroying targets, reducing the risk of collateral damage. Although the technology is still in the early stages of development, its potential for future defense applications looks promising.