Iron Beam: How Israel’s New Laser Weapon Works | WSJ

Israel’s experimental air-defense system known as the Iron Beam uses laser technology to strike down drones and rockets, but military analysts say the device needs U.S. support to improve its performance. WSJ explains how it works.

Photo Illustration: Adam Adada

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#Iron Beam #Israel #WSJ

[banto]

weather shouldn't be an issue as according to official Iranian media Israel controls the weather and can make clouds disappear.

[engineeranonymous]

The systems sensor is not the problem in different weather conditions, the problem is LASER has trouble penetrating through fog, cloud, dust etc just like light.

[Synthmilk]

It's always best to have multiple types of system to counter a particular threat. The laser system is relatively inexpensive to actually use, so there is likely the ability to deploy more systems for the same cost as the Iron Dome system. Networking the fire control systems would allow the optimal engagement of targets to maximize the chances of a shot resulting in a kill.

[alanchi]

Multiple iron beams on a single target should cut the shootdown time?

[jordanp]

This video really glosses over how groundbreaking this technology is. When they're breaking down the parts of the system they just say "laser gun" and ignore it like it's normal

[bigmek]

The things you said about weather problems are really not an issue since in israel there is very little fog or rain in comparison with western countries. These things also affect hamas rockets which is why we pretty much never have alarms go off in the winter

[sabnamtopno]

Iron beam and iron dom both are amazing

[DanielNistrean]

Without a doubt laser is the future. It has the speed of light and requires no ammunition or logistics, maybe a solid state battery to make it mobile. The biggest issues are that it looses power proportional to the distance and storage capacity of the battery.

[collinwhites]

Iron Beam technology will likely become standard for large (probably nuclear powered) vessels.

[APinchofDill]

Well there is now footage of this thing working. Kinda cool

[naveenn]

It's not only cost effective but environment friendly also🙃🙃🙃🖖

[bowlampar]

Under scenario of $50, 000per firing over $2per firing cost ratio, the imperfection of Iron Beam can be tolerated since there is no such thing as a' Perfect 'air defense system in our world. 👨🏼‍✈👩🏼‍✈️

[cnordegren]

Korea, Japan, NATO, and Georgia would be standing in line with cash to buy this product!

[RasheedKhan-hexx]

I like that this is, for the moment, a defensive weapon.

[qgbgors]

They got the iron dome.
They got the iron beam.
All they are missing is iron man
😁

[shawnbarron]

Always interesting to get a preview of the next war's new toys.

[filibuster_jpr]

I hope this laser beam can be attached to drones to extend its reach and strategy 🤔

[pchandrahasan]

"We love death more than you love life" - Hamas

[strauss]

The system doesn't work as well in Nov-Dec cloudy weather.

Gaza: Write that down, write that down!

[audieallen]

good vid. the beam is just one part of a system to deal with a variety of threats