Iron Beam is a new Israeli air defense system based on a high-power laser beam, which is already in service and part of Israel’s multi-layered defense against missiles, drones and other aerial threats. It is a laser air defense system (High-Energy Laser Weapon System) designed by the Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Elbit Systems. It works on the principle of a high-energy laser beam, which can destroy or neutralize short-range threats – such as small rockets, mortar shells, drones or similar objects – without the use of conventional missiles or ammunition. The range of the system is up to approximately 10 km, making it an ideal complement to existing defense systems such as Iron Dome, David’s Sling or Arrow, which focus on longer distances and other types of threats. Iron Beam tracks and focuses on a target using radar and optical sensors, then sends an extremely high-energy laser beam directly at the target. The laser acts on a target by overheating it or damaging its structure, thus rendering it useless while still in the air. Its entry into service strengthens Israel’s defenses and represents a technological step forward in the world of air defense systems.