The cooperation will seek to develop a variant of the IRON BEAM laser ground-based air defense system for the U.S. and export markets.
Lockheed Martin of the U.S. and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Ltd. of Israel signed a collaboration agreement that includes the joint development, testing and manufacturing of high energy laser weapon systems (HELWS) in the U.S. and Israel.
The IRON BEAM system is a 100 kW HELWS that is expected to be the first operational ground-based air defense system against threats such as rockets, mortars and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) of its kind in the world.
The future joint development will build on assets that have been independently developed by RAFAEL and the Defense Research and Development Directorate (DDR&D) of the Israeli Ministry of Defense under the IRON BEAM project.
“This strategic teaming agreement serves as a force multiplier for RAFAEL and the Israeli market. We are working to ensure our customers receive the most advanced, effective, and best in class systems. This agreement will expand and diversify the capabilities we can offer to a variety of customers,” said RAFAEL CEO and President Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Yoav Har-Even. “Over the last three decades, alongside the DDR&D and the Israeli Ministry of Defense, RAFAEL has invested in laser research and development, resulting in IRON BEAM and we expect to become the first operational laser defense system of its kind. This serves as a clear example of Israeli-made capabilities leading to strategic cooperation which will greatly benefit both sides.”
The IRON BEAM laser system is designed to be easily integrated into Israel’s multilayered air defense system, such as the famed Iron Dome array, which is used to defend critical infrastructure, strategic sites, maneuvering forces and population centers from all types of airborne threats.
For its part, Lockheed Martin has several developments to its credit on offensive and defensive laser systems, to equip naval, land or air platforms. One of the most promising is the Tactical Airborne Laser Weapons System (TALWS), also called SHiELD.
It is a pod that can be installed on the center pylon of a tactical fighter aircraft, such as an F-16, and through its high-powered laser, will be able to destroy even enemy air-to-air or surface-to-air missiles.
The partnership with Rafael will give the U.S. access to high-powered (and potentially powerful) laser technology to develop a new generation of air defense systems, but also to form the basis of future directed energy weapons to be used by sixth-generation fighter aircraft.
