The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) recently showed off its latest laser beam weapon, known as the Lite Beam. As its namesake suggests, the weapon, which is designed to complement its existing Iron Dome missile system, uses lasers to shoot down enemy drones.
The IDF had initially placed a ban on any reporting of the Lite Beam but since its ban was lifted, it claims to have successfully tested in combat, taking down Hezbollah drones.
The Lite Beam is a less powerful system is less powerful than Israel’s currently existing Iron Beam laser interceptor. With a maximum output of 10kW, it’s smaller and can be mounted on a 4×4 vehicle. It’s also a cost-effective option; unlike its Iron Dome missile system, which costs upwards of US$100,000 (~RM424,699) per missile, a single shot from a laser would only cost a handful of dollars.
While the Lite Beam is impressive in its deployability and accuracy, Israel obviously isn’t the first country to develop its own laser-based weapon systems. The US Navy tested its own laser beam weapon back in 2022, when it took down a subsonic cruise missile. In 2024, the UK showed off its own 50kW laser weapon, capable of hitting a coin from a kilometre away.
(Source: Techspot)
