Israel understands that a large number of rocket attacks launched in a short time are difficult to contain by the Iron Dome hanud system. Iron Dome's success rate is actually still very good, namely 90 percent.
However, apart from being overwhelmed in facing the quantity of Hamas or Hezbollah rocket attacks, what is of concern is the price per unit of Tamir missiles at the Iron Dome which reaches tens of thousands of dollars, not equal to the price of Hamas rockets which are estimated per unit at only several hundred dollars.
Departing from the classic attacks that continue to be repeated, Israel is preparing what is called a 'Laser Wall' to protect its air space from rocket and drone attacks. The Laser Wall is not a laser weapon like one that is fired at a target, but instead puts forward the concept of a laser wall, which is reportedly going to be tested in southern Israel.
However, the new Laser Wall will be ready for use by Israel in 2025. Considering that the war with Palestinian fighters has quickly broken out, it is necessary to quickly realize the procurement of a laser-based air defense system.
The reality of the Hamas rocket attack on October 7 2023 has made the leadership of the Jewish State think hard, especially when Hamas launched more than 5,000 rockets in less than 20 minutes.
Hamas continues to develop its rudimentary rocket technology and increases its range to reach major Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv, and even Jerusalem. Iron Dome is designed to destroy 97 percent of incoming projectiles, but cannot neutralize them all.
As a solution to complement the Iron Dome, Israel is currently working on the development of the Iron Beam, a laser-based hanud system that aims to be more economically efficient. This laser hanud system is designed to intercept missiles, rockets and drones at a cost of about $3.5 per shot.
Unlike Iron Dome which uses expensive missiles for interception, Iron Beam uses directed energy technology. This system requires tracking a target with a laser until it is destroyed, limiting its ability to intercept multiple targets with a single unit.
Reporting from Armyrecognition.com, Iron Beam's long-term vision is said to be ambitious. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett stated that this new weapon would allow Israel to be surrounded by a Laser Wall that would protect against missiles, rockets, UAVs and other threats.
Following these attacks, Israel officially requested supplies of Tamir interceptor missiles, smart bombs and artillery shells from the US Department of Defense which was confirmed by US government sources. on October 9, 2023.
Apart from Iron Beam, whose project is currently being launched. In fact, in 2020, the adoption of lasers as a weapon system to destroy drones began to be revived through the Light Blade program.
The technology was developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and is called Drone Dome C-UAS, which has achieved 100 percent success in overcoming all drone attack scenarios, including destroying maneuvering drones as well as overcoming drone threats targeting civilian and military installations.
Rafael installed the C-UAS Drone Dome system on a Land Rover 4×4 vehicle platform. In trials, the high laser beam on this weapon can overcome drone maneuvers that change sharply from time to time. In testing, three drones could be shot in sequence.
What's amazing is that the C-UAS Dome Drone is only operated by one operator. However, the character of rockets is different from drones. Will Iron Beam be able to intercept Hamas rockets? Let time tell.