Is Israel's IRON BEAM laser already in combat?

Since a Hamas offensive took Israeli forces by surprise on October 7, footage has been circulating online that appears to show incoming rockets or mortars being shot down by an Israeli air defense laser system known as the Iron Beam.

But while the Iron Beam is indeed a genuine directed-energy weapon developed by Israeli defense contractor Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, these videos are not real.

Let's talk about the Iron Beam, and what it actually can do.

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Original Write-Up:

Citations:

[Voltikz]

The fact that ARMA footage keeps fooling people, is both hilarious and incredibly worrying imo

[briancoe]

One benefit of directed energy weapons that nobody is talking about is that if you fire a laser you aren't releasing explosive munitions into the environment. A land mine or unexploded bomb or missile is a danger for civilians. A misfired laser could potentially hurt someone, but only in the moment of actual combat. It wouldn't stick around afterwards.

[mikedrop]

When I saw the article on the website in that clip in yesterday's video I was hoping we'd get a video version. Thanks Alex and crew

[gbladewarrior]

Whats more important is a real anti-mosquito laser.

[BionicRusty]

As someone who worked on NGC’s DIRCM from very early on, when the system was lamp based, it’s incredible to see how lasers have evolved in weaponry.

[bitrage.]

I work with laser manufacturing types and most of them are not visible but in certain conditions a co2 or fiber laser sometimes you can see the path, kinda like smoke in regular laser... for instance if there is alot of humidity in the air the laser will vaporize and create steam inline.

[mikemoses]

Remember, directed energy is not only lasers. It includes microwaves, ion beam, and more. These have there own issues but also advantages over lasers. They can disrupt the internal workings of the electronics that control communication, guidance, navigation. They also can be used in conjunction with other directed energy systems.

[stuartgray]

All of the components for Iron Beam have been operational since 2005 with the exception of the solid state laser source. My company built the beam forming system and the tracking system for this and we demonstrated that it could shoot down multiple supersonic projectiles in rapid succession back then. However, it required a Chemical Laser which was not practical for Israel.

[Nathan-vtjz]

I think directed energy weapons are going to be a big deal moving forward as part of an integrated defense systems. The tech is going to continue to improve as well.

[avgjoe]

As usual Sandboxx presentation is very nice. Up to date data. Very good to hear 500kw laser mountable on a truck is around the corner and 300kw is here. Above 1mw, these things will finally produce a serious threat to drones and cheap rockets/mortars.

[davidbaxter]

Although you can't see light from a laser or any other source unless that light enters your eye, you can see a laser beam's path (assuming visible wavelengths) from the scattering of light from particles of dust in the air. Anyone who has witnessed a laser show at a concert knows this.

[leeofallon]

Excellent reporting, Alex ... two facts are glaringly obvious: the wise commander never relies only on one primary weapon system and the laser as a serious weapon must be rated in megawatts, sort of like caliber in kinetic systems. Again, thx!

[nunessilva]

Love the narration style, the content and what it seems to me to be a very knowledgeable opinion...
Right or not, this were I come to learn about weapons systems...
And get to sleep at night after doing so...
Thanks.. dude (for the lack of a real name)

[desertpunk]

The beam from a directed energy weapon may not be in the visible spectrum, but if the beam is high enough power it will heat the air enough to create plasma. That plasma produces visible light. You will see it in the air

[nolaserv]

Thank you for the truth about the real tech behind laser defense platforms. There are so many videos out there that are being inflated just for the sake of click bait and sensationalism.

[BabyMakR]

6:38 Who else thought this was a mock-up of a Star Wars Star Destroyer?

[Statist]

If terrorists see this, there will be a shortage of "Never Dull" 😂

[JeremyArchie]

Wow, great stuff. Never heard of 'IRON BEAM' until today.

[MrCateagle]

Regarding laser development, look how quickly the YAL-1 went from cutting edge to obsolete

[JinKee]

Can you imagine trying to spend 10 hours a day in a forward deployed "clean room" trying to repair broken laser weapons? cleaning air-filters would be soul-destroying.