The need to multiply "dialectical" efforts (sometimes even a threat can avoid a war), the crisis situation in Iran leads Israel to precipitate the announcement of a new, infallible laser weapon.
The Israeli defense ministry announced a technological breakthrough in the development of lasers: a “lightsaber” to intercept a variety of airborne threats, including rockets and anti-tank guided missiles.
The Minister of Defense Naphthali Bennett said Wednesday night that the new laser technology “it makes the security apparatus more lethal, powerful and advanced”.
The minister used sci-fi definitions for the weapon: “We will also have a lightsaber when we face threats from the north or the south. It is best that Israel's enemies do not test our resolve or capabilities."
Investments in research and development in recent years have placed the state of Israel among the leading countries in the field of high energy laser systems.
The general Yaniv Rotem, head of the ministry's research and development department, claims the new weapon as the result of a decade of work.
Israel, he said, has already intercepted targets such as mortar shells, drones and anti-tank missiles several times over the years with the "Iron Dome" system.
“This is an even more lethal solution for ballistic threats,” he echoes Dubi Oster, head of the optronics department of the Defense Research and Development Department.
“We have been working on this for years, it has been difficult to get a good quality beam that maintains the necessary power for the necessary time. One you need in the range you need… for example a radius the size of a long string from here (he was speaking from Tel Aviv) to Herzliya.” Virtually 15 kilometers.
Lightsaber, the way to realization
Most developments over the years, both in Israel and abroad except perhaps for Russia have been ineffective. Significant results for Israel, according to the ministry, have come in the past 18 months.
The turn recently claimed by the ministry is based on the precision of the laser beam. The developed one can be focused on long-range objectives and overcome atmospheric disturbances such as clouds and dust storms.
According to Oster, the ministry developed several laser beams and connected them with an advanced algorithm to obtain a strong beam capable of intercepting and breaking down a variety of threats.
Based on high-energy electrical lasers rather than chemistry, the “lightsaber” will complement Israel's air defenses and fundamentally alter the state's defense capabilities.
According to Rotem, some of the advantages of high energy lasers include the ability to continuously use the low cost system with greater effectiveness and more efficient management. Each intercepted blow has the cost of a few euros, against the thousands of euros needed to stop an aerial threat with current systems. “During a war, missile interceptors run out sooner or later. With this system, as long as you have electricity you have an infinite supply"he said.
The use of two different and complementary technologies (kinetic air defense with systems such as Iron Dome) and laser platforms is a game changer.
On the basis of this development, the ministry has launched three programs for the development of high energy laser demonstration systems. A laser on the ground to integrate the capabilities of Iron Dome, a mobile one to defend troops on the field and an aerial one to intercept threats above the clouds and to defend larger areas.
The laser weapon of the future
In summary, the Israeli Ministry of Defense has made a loud statement to warn possible parties involved in the crisis of recent days. And after the announcement it started a demonstration program, and then deployed the new systems in the border area with the Gaza Strip.
