"This is a system for a shorter range than Iron Dome, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. CEO Yedidia Yaari told "Israel Defense", describing the laser Iron Beam mortar bomb defense system. "The laser is designed to intercept simpler munitions, such as mortars, and it will be very effective."
Yaari adds, "The system has undergone feasibility tests, and we're now in the development stage. We're after the demo, but there is another development phase ahead of us. There are technology models that prove that it shoots down flying objects like flies. It has very high interception rate."
Iron Beam is designed to supplement Israel's other air defense systems. It will give the IDF the capability, which it does not now have, to protect communities, concentrations of forces, and isolated facilities that are only a short distance from ballistic trajectory fire.
Iron Dome cannot defend against mortar fire against kibbutzim and moshavim along the Gaza Strip border. Iron Beam will use radar to spot incoming fire, calculate the bomb's trajectory, and blow it up in midair.
Rafael says that compared with traditional weapons, the new system should provide forces with important advantages, including minimal collateral damage, lethal target effects, and an unlimited magazine, because it does not use a missile interceptor that is launched toward the target. The company adds that Iron Beam also has a small crew, which can use electronics to manage combat autonomously.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on April 2, 2014
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