Israeli defense company Rafael showcases 3 versions of laser defense systems, including next-gen Iron Beam 450

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, one of Israel’s leading defense companies, has unveiled three versions of its cutting-edge Iron Beam laser system ahead of the Paris Air Show, taking place June 16–22.

The current lineup includes the original Iron Beam, the smaller and mobile Iron Beam M, and Lite Beam, a lighter, more compact variant designed for installation on armored personnel carriers.

In addition, Rafael is expected to debut the new Iron Beam 450, an upgraded model featuring a 450mm aperture beam – a significant increase from the previous 250mm system. This enhancement extends the system’s operational range and improves targeting accuracy.

🛰 Rafael & Israel’s MoD R&D Directorate (MAFAT) unveil new IRON BEAM 450 laser director at #ParisAirShow2025!

⚡ Speed-of-light interception
📈 Extended range
🧠 Adaptive optics
💸 Ultra-low cost

HELWS lineup: IRON BEAM, IRON BEAM M, LITE BEAM

For more Info>… pic.twitter.com/NUR4cEKNqU

— Rafael Advanced Defense Systems (@RAFAELdefense) June 5, 2025

Tzvi Marmor, Rafael’s EVP and general manager of the Land and Naval Systems Division, said the Lite Beam system will complement the company’s previous Trophy anti-tank system. 

"Trophy has been operational since 2010, but the threats are changing, and we are adapting the system for this," Marmor explained. "During the war, Rafael released software versions designed to deal with the new challenges," he added. 

Israel has developed one of the world’s most advanced aerial defense systems, including the Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow missile system. Although highly effective, these sophisticated systems are costly to operate. Each Iron Dome interceptor costs around $30,000. By contrast, each Iron Beam interceptor only costs $5-$10, making the Iron Beam systems a game changer in the field of aerial defense. 

In April 2022, then-Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett announced that Israel was developing a cutting-edge laser-based aerial defense system. 

“We have successfully completed a series of tests on our new ‘Iron Beam’ laser air defense system. This may sound like science fiction, but it’s real,” Bennett stated. He explained the significant advantages that Iron Beam offers. 

“This is the world’s first energy-based weapons system that has proven to actually work. The Iron Beam’s interceptions are silent, they’re invisible, and they only cost around $3.50. We are turning the tables on terror,” he added. 

In late May this year, Israeli media reported that the Israeli military had intercepted Hezbollah drones using laser defense systems. 

Rafael’s chairman, Yuval Steinitz, emphasized that the company is continuously focusing on addressing current and future threats to national security. 

"The importance of this development cannot be overstated, and not only from the point of view of Israel and the security implications," Steinitz stated.

He revealed that the breakthrough came five years ago. 

“Five years ago, three researchers with PhDs in physics at Rafael made a breakthrough that will be remembered in the history of technology. They managed to transmit the laser precisely, so that steel can be cut at a range of a kilometer, and that made laser weapons possible,” Steinitz explained. 

Rafael CEO Yoav Tourgeman further explained how Israel’s laser-based systems are expected to revolutionize aerial defenses. 

"The cost of interception is falling, there is no magazine to load, and this is a revolution. This is the first time that the economic advantage in the campaign is on the side of the defender and not the attacker," Tourgeman said. 

He also addressed Spain’s recent decision to cancel, for political reasons, the purchase of Rafael’s Spike systems. 

"Spain is a long-standing customer which has bought very large quantities of missiles from us, and has active contracts with us. We have not received any cancellations from any customer so far, and we are in the process of investigating. Replacing the missiles and procuring, for example, Javelin, is a process that would take more than six years. We have not received any notice of cancellation of a tender, contract, or anything like that. Sometimes, there are framework orders, in which someone says that they want to buy a quantity for a decade, and then each year they take a certain quantity from that."