Source: NDTV
Context: Israel has successfully deployed the Magen or laser defence system in live combat, intercepting dozens of Hezbollah drones during the recent conflict.
About Israel’s Laser Beam Defense System:
- Name of System:
- Known as the Magen or Shield of Light.
- Part of Israel’s larger Iron Beam laser weapon program
- Developed By: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems (lead developer)
- How It Works?
- Uses directed high-energy laser beams to burn and disable aerial threats like drones and UAVs.
- Targets are locked on with optical tracking and neutralized using thermal damage in a matter of seconds.
- Operates silently, with no explosion, making it stealthy and precise.
- Key Features:
- Speed of Light Interception: Instantly neutralizes threats and no wait for missile launch or impact.
- Ultra-Low Operational Cost: Each laser shot costs around $5, compared to $50,000 per interceptor in Iron Dome.
- High Accuracy: Capable of single-point targeting with minimal collateral damage.
- Silent and Invisible: No audible or visible trace, preserving tactical surprise.
- AI-Integrated Threat Assessment: The system can autonomously prioritize targets and switch to conventional missiles when needed.
- Strategic Significance:
- Global First: Israel becomes the first nation to use combat laser defence effectively in real war conditions.
- Future-Proofing Warfare: Paves way for vehicle-mounted, naval, and airborne laser systems, with upcoming models like Lite Beam and Naval Iron Beam.
