Israel confirms world-first combat use of laser-beam weapon, downs Hezbollah drones

[midian182]

What just happened? Israel says it has become the first country to use a laser-based defense system in a combat setting. The Israel Defense Forces announced that the technology was used against Hezbollah drones in hostilities against the group along the Lebanese border last year.

The 10kW Lite Beam prototype system that was used is a less powerful version of the Iron Beam laser interceptor, which is set to become operational sometime in 2025. Both systems were built by Israeli defense tech firm Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.

The Lite Beam system was used against the Hezbollah drones in late October last year, but it's only now that a ban on reporting on the weapon has been lifted. It marks the first instance of a laser system being used to shoot down drones in a combat scenario. The compact laser can be mounted on 4×4 wheeled vehicles, making it suitable for front-line deployment.

– (@MoDIsrael) May 28, 2025

The more powerful Iron Beam laser system, first unveiled in 2014, is designed to defeat rockets, artillery shells, mortars, cruise missiles, and UAVs at ranges of hundreds of meters to several kilometers, with future growth to around 10 km (6.2 miles), though fog, heavy rain or sand reduce effective range.

Unlike Israel's traditional missile interceptor defense systems that can cost between $50,000 and $100,000 per shot, each shot of the Iron Beam laser costs only a few dollars. It also has an unlimited magazine as long as there is power, and the shots travel at the speed of light.

The system works by detecting targets using existing radar. Dozens of fiber-laser modules are phase-locked to act like one large aperture, pushing output toward 100 kW. Its adaptive optics system can rapidly retarget between multiple high-speed threats, making it an excellent defensive measure against swarm drone attacks.

The laser systems will eventually be integrated into Israel's famed Iron Dome missile shield.

Other countries are developing similar laser weapons. In 2022, the US Navy's Layered Laser Defense (LLD) took down a drone, which was representing a subsonic cruise missile, during tests for the first time.

In 2024, it was revealed that the UK's 50kW turret-mounted DragonFire laser weapon could hit a coin from a kilometer away at a cost of around $13 per shot.

South Korea also announced that it would use anti-aircraft laser weapons against drones last year.

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Israel confirms world-first combat use of laser-beam weapon, downs Hezbollah drones

 

[WhiteLeaff]

Infinite ammunition...

 

[Axeia]

But did they install a speaker to make the typical sci-fi pew pew sound?

 

[wiyosaya]

But did they install a speaker to make the typical sci-fi pew pew sound?

Good one!

I would not be surprised if it ionizes the air making a "snap, crackle, pop" sound.

 

[bviktor]

Awesome

 

[VaRmeNsI]

But did they install a speaker to make the typical sci-fi pew pew sound?

Two speakers, one for pew and the other for John Williams.

 

[stewi0001]

Infinite ammunition...

until the batteries die XD

 

[netman]

"The new laser weapons will complement Iron Dome defenses"

The Lazy Dome now compliments the Cotton Dome...!

 

[Squid Surprise]

I hear they’re going to mount them on the heads of sharks for their naval defenses…
Cause who doesn’t want sharks with frickin lasers attached to their heads?

 

[DrSuess]

Israel confirms world-first "reported" combat use of laser-beam weapon.

 

[Neutronbeam]

Begun, the energy-beam wars have.

 

[jeffbert]

I much prefer the laser sound effects from Jonny Quest; sounds like "ninininini". Next to that, the Klingon disruptor.

 

[p51d007]

Lazer beam
In my dream
Lazer beam
In my dream
Lazer beam
In my dream
Lazer beam like a sawed off dream

 

[DrSuess]

Infinite ammunition...

You only have as much ammunition as you have power, if there is no power there is no ammunition. Carrying enough power on a mobile high energy laser platform is problematic.

 

[WhiteLeaff]

You only have as much ammunition as you have power, if there is no power there is no ammunition. Carrying enough power on a mobile high energy laser platform is problematic.

If you're defending a city, you have "unlimited" energy nearby and accessible. It's not practical to carry around, but it's a cool concept.

 

[gmorita]

Directed energy weapons have a fatal flaw. They lead straight back to the source so a fast countermeasure weapon system could take out the weapon after the first shot.

 

[Squid Surprise]

Directed energy weapons have a fatal flaw. They lead straight back to the source so a fast countermeasure weapon system could take out the weapon after the first shot.

Which is why you use them for defense…

 

[mbk34]

The UK sent a similar anti drone laser system to Ukraine a while back. I understand Ukraine has now developed their own similar systems. It seems odd that they haven't hit any enemy drones in this time. Perhaps they just don't broadcast it as it's a war.

The issue with these systems is their limited range and cost meaning they're really only useful protecting small targets like power stations rather than whole cities. The Gepard systems are probably more effective and work in all weathers with a better range.

 

[Alfatawi Mendel]

A few cheap smoke bombs laced with powdered aluminium will render it useless.

 

[wiyosaya]

Directed energy weapons have a fatal flaw. They lead straight back to the source so a fast countermeasure weapon system could take out the weapon after the first shot.

That depends on the "enemy"'s ability to detect that energy. Lasers are not necessarily continuous, nor do they always emit visible light. As well, short pulses are just as deadly and much harder to track.

You only have as much ammunition as you have power, if there is no power there is no ammunition. Carrying enough power on a mobile high energy laser platform is problematic.

If its on a Humvee that happens to have a portable generator, then as long as you have fuel for the generator, you have power. Its not like this device with a 10kW output power requires exorbitant amounts of power since fiber lasers (which is what this is) are notoriously efficient.

 

[DrSuess]

That depends on the "enemy"'s ability to detect that energy. Lasers are not necessarily continuous, nor do they always emit visible light. As well, short pulses are just as deadly and much harder to track.

If its on a Humvee that happens to have a portable generator, then as long as you have fuel for the generator, you have power. Its not like this device with a 10kW output power requires exorbitant amounts of power since fiber lasers (which is what this is) are notoriously efficient.

I have designed and implemented both lasers and Electro Optical (EO) sensors (which do not require the laser emissions to be in the visual spectrum) to detect them, it isn't hard even when the emission isn't continuous to detect them as the pulses generally follow some duty cycle that generally represents minimum interval between pulse repetition.

The majority of systems deployed or under test are the size of small semis (power generators, ground based radar, signal processors, targeting and tracking computers). There is at least one Humvee system we worked on 5 yrs or so ago but its short range and is only effective within a few kilometers against small and medium sized drones. Energy stores aren't large enough to use for a prolonged period of time because the system uses a 10kW class high-energy laser. Our competitor has a similar system a that also uses a 10kW class high-energy laser.

 

[ThorOdinson420]

It's almost like people told the truth and targeted laser beam weapons are being used to start fires. This is how cars melt mid parking lot despite nothing flammable around them. Guess that's why we seem to be helping them clear Palestine which is a holocaust... go figure they start one after being saved from one. Wild times.

 

[Squid Surprise]

Guess that's why we seem to be helping them clear Palestine which is a holocaust... go figure they start one after being saved from one. Wild times.

Yeah, I think you need to actually look up the definition of a holocaust... no one is systematically sending Palestinians to be burned alive... nor is there any "genocide" happening... leave the politics for Reddit and leave your anti-semitism for your own home...

 

[toooooot]

This should be a great way to deal with drones in general, very cheap as well.

Inexpensive lasers shooting at 40 miles range, doing 60 shots per minute.
That could be the next step in drone warfare.

 

[ThorOdinson420]

Yeah, I think you need to actually look up the definition of a holocaust... no one is systematically sending Palestinians to be burned alive... nor is there any "genocide" happening... leave the politics for Reddit and leave your anti-semitism for your own home...

Nah, they just burn them where they live already, no need to move them when the plan is holocaust. No one mentioned genocide but you, seems like you outted your own knowledge of the fact that it baseline is not moral or ethical. And Antisemitism isn't pointing out Israel's inhumane treatment of others... that's called the truth. Also antisemitism is itself antisemitic in nature, and can outs only one people who can experience it. Furthering the whole problem, division. Good job but I don't see any thinking on your part. Just anger over your moral reflection.