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In a historic first, Israel has now revealed it had successfully used a high-powered laser weapon in live combat to intercept hostile UAVs launched from Lebanon by Hezbollah during the Swords of Iron War. The engagement marks a pivotal moment in modern air defense, demonstrating the operational viability of directed-energy weapons on the battlefield.
Footage released by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems shows the laser locking onto a small, fixed-wing UAV and neutralizing it mid-flight within seconds. The intercepted UAV appeared to resemble Iranian-made one-way attack platforms like the Ababil-T, frequently used by Hezbollah.
Though Rafael did not officially confirm the system’s identity, defense analysts widely believe the engagement was carried out by a prototype variant of the Magen Or, internationally known as Iron Beam. Iron Beam, developed in collaboration with Elbit Systems, uses a 100-kilowatt-class laser to target and destroy incoming threats at ranges up to 10 kilometers.
The system’s combat debut arrived amid a sustained uptick in UAV attacks on Israel’s northern border, where Hezbollah has intensified aerial incursions as part of a broader multi-front pressure campaign a few months back. The use of a laser system in these circumstances provides a significant cost advantage over conventional interceptors. Unlike missiles, which can cost tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars per launch, each laser shot costs only a few dollars in electricity—making it an attractive solution for intercepting swarms or frequent attacks.
Laser interception also offers minimal logistical footprint, near-instantaneous response time, and pinpoint accuracy, without leaving behind missile debris or requiring reloads.
The successful interception follows years of development and testing, as Israel has accelerated its effort to integrate energy weapons into its defensive infrastructure.
This milestone demonstrates that laser-based air defense is no longer theoretical or experimental—it is active, effective, and poised to transform how nations confront low-cost aerial threats like drones and rockets in high-volume conflict zones.
