Rafael announced the first successful combat use of the Iron Ray laser system

 

 Iron Ray

The Israeli defense company Rafael has announced the world's first successful combat use of a high-energy laser. Presumably, we are talking about the Iron Ray missile defense system, designed to intercept and destroy ultra-short-range missiles. Directed energy weapons were first used in real conditions during the Middle East conflict in 2024.

The history of the use of lasers in military operations began in the 1960s - during the Vietnam War, lasers were used as target designators and rangefinders. In the Falklands War of 1982, they were used to temporarily disorient the enemy. However, laser weapons were not used to disable objects in real combat. So far, the case has been limited to field trials.

However, this was bound to happen sooner or later, and the current military conflicts provide defense companies with an excellent opportunity to show the effectiveness of their developments in practice. Yesterday, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems announced on the X network that the company's laser system has been tested by combat, demonstrating high accuracy and effectiveness of intercepting targets at various distances: "For the first time in history, high-energy laser systems have been used to intercept aerial targets in combat. This unprecedented breakthrough occurred during 'The Iron Sword Wars.'"

The company does not say where or when this happened. However, according to the Israeli Ministry of Defense, the incident occurred in 2024. Then the laser systems managed to intercept dozens of UAVs and missiles launched by members of the Shiite organization Hezbollah. The development of these systems was carried out under the leadership of the Ministry of Defense with the involvement of specialists from the Rafael concern.

We are talking about prototypes of the Rafael laser system, on the basis of which a more powerful "Iron Beam" was created, a missile defense system that should strengthen the "Iron Dome" over Israel. Its power is 100 kW and its range is 10 km. It is capable of operating in all weather conditions and integrates with existing air defense systems. This makes it a universal tool for protecting both military installations and civilian infrastructure.

Rafael plans to further improve the Iron Ray, increasing its power and expanding the range of intercepted targets. In parallel, negotiations are underway to supply the complex to other states.

India has recently become one of the countries with laser weapons. In April, energy weapons developed by Indian engineers at domestic enterprises were tested.