Not as innovative as Iron Beam, Israeli Lite Beam laser defense system to be showcased at AUSA 2024

 Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems has announced that it will exhibit its advanced Lite Beam short-range laser defense system at the AUSA military trade show, which will be held in Washington, DC from October 14-16. 

Citing undisclosed defense sources, the Jerusalem Post reported that while the Lite Beam is not as innovative as the previously unveiled Iron Beam laser-based air defense system, it is nonetheless a shining example of Israel's ability to effectively deploy layers of - at least, for short - defense at a distance. Sources told the publication that Lite Beam's capabilities have already been proven, but did not say whether the system had been tested in the ongoing war against Hamas or Hezbollah.

The Light Beam debut also comes as Israel accelerates the deployment of a cutting-edge directed-energy air defense system, known as Iron Beam, which is initially expected to become operational within the next few years and serve as the short-range component of Israel's integrated missile defense system.

Manufacturers claim that Lite bundles are only useful for drones, fat rivets, and potentially useful solutions, but iron bundles, which are also air defense systems, are all kinds of hostile missiles, missiles on the ground. It claims that a missile can be removed.

Rafael said the Lite Beam system “offers benefits such as light-speed engagement, unlimited magazine and negligible cost per intercept.”

Tzvi Marmor, executive vice president and general manager of Rafael’s Land and Naval Systems Division, said, “This latest presentation at AUSA underscores RAFAEL’s continued commitment to providing advanced defense solutions on the battlefield. As global threats evolve, we continue to equip armed forces with cutting-edge technologies to ensure their operational superiority in diverse and challenging environments.”

Iron Beam debuted at the same AUSA show in 2022. Raphael then announced that the 100 kW Iron Beam-class high-energy laser weapon system was the first documented system of its kind.

Israel’s laser air defense system works with other components of its air defense arsenal, such as the Iron Dome, a well-known system for intercepting short-range missiles and medium—and long-range missiles. Once delivered to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the Iron Beam and the Lite Beam would become part of Israel’s formidable layered air defense. Israeli company Rafael unveils Lite Beam laser system for ground vehicles. Promotional video

The Lite Beam laser system for ground vehicles disables drones and mortars at the speed of light with unlimited magazines and minimal cost per shot.

The addition of Lite Beam to Israel's air defense system would be significant given the proliferation of drones in the region. Laser weapons are useful against unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) because the concentrated laser beams quickly heat up the drone's body, causing structural failure and burning out one or both wings. A laser-based system could also instantly burn a drone's liquid fuel or blind its optical sensors, especially if the drone is being guided to a precise target by a human controller.

Furthermore, using lasers in battle, unlike missiles, which often fall to the ground and cause casualties, some advanced alternatives in the world are developing inexpensive alternatives in the world.

What do we know about Lite Beam?

Rafael said Lite Beam "offers advantages such as light-speed firing capability, unlimited magazine capacity and low intercept cost."

Lite Beam is compatible with any vehicle platform, allowing for use in a variety of operational scenarios. Additionally, it can also act as a drone canopy component combining jamming and soft kill capabilities.

Few details about this new system are known, but some reports suggest that the Light Beam is a 10kW class HEL capable of engaging both drones and ground targets at ranges from a few hundred meters to 2,000 meters.

Rafael said its “latest modular C-UAS solutions for force protection can operate alongside the Trophy Active Protection System (APS) in a combat formation to enhance ground maneuvering capabilities across the battlespace.” He added: “The C-UAS Drone Dome solution, with its laser interception capability, can be integrated on 4x4, 6x6 and 8x8 wheeled and tracked vehicles to support counter-drone as well as other force protection missions.”

Rafael's booth will feature a new modular unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) design that combines advanced sensing and interception technologies. The platform includes the Lite Beam laser interceptor system as one of its defensive systems. The introduction of the system this month is significant because it comes at a time of heightened instability in the region. The combat effectiveness of Israeli air defense components such as Iron Dome has been called into question following strikes by Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah. Some experts believe the repeated exposure may have exposed the Achilles’ heel of IDF’s most popular air defense system.

With no end in sight to the hostilities in the region, Israel has been relentlessly working on expanding its counter-drone capability. The Iron Beam systems are scheduled to be delivered to the Israeli military by 2025. With the arrival of Light Beam, Israel will have two laser air defense systems, adding further offensive power to its existing arsenal.