This announcement follows the recent operational use of Rafael’s laser systems, which successfully intercepted numerous airborne threats during the ongoing “Iron Swords” operation. The laser-based interceptors, developed under an accelerated programme by MAFAT, the Israeli Air Force, and Rafael, have proven effective in real combat conditions.
Rafael’s HELWS family, designed for export and consisting of three distinct systems, builds on decades of technological innovation. These systems add a critical layer to Israel’s multi-tiered air defence architecture alongside the Iron Beam, which is expected to be delivered to the Israel Defense Forces by the end of 2025.
The centrepiece of Rafael’s Paris exhibition is the Iron Beam 450 — an improved version of the high-energy laser system with a new beam director. Following successful live target interceptions in 2022, Iron Beam is now advancing toward operational deployment.
The enhanced beam director significantly increases Iron Beam’s range, accuracy, and interception speed. These improvements enable engagement from greater distances, faster firing cycles, and more precise targeting, while maintaining key advantages such as light-speed threat neutralisation and minimal interception cost.
Rafael’s adaptive optics technology, refined over a decade of laser research, allows the system to maintain beam focus on a coin-sized target from 10 kilometres away. This capability reduces interception costs and ensures effective integration into Israel’s layered air defence.
Rafael’s HELWS product line provides scalable and effective laser-based defence solutions for a wide array of aerial threats. The systems include:
- Iron Beam – 450 with New Beam Director: Offers extended range, increased accuracy, and faster engagement cycles, providing instantaneous, low-cost air threat neutralisation across wide areas and in complex scenarios. Rafael states this system “sets a new global benchmark in laser air defence capabilities.”
- Iron Beam M – 250 (Mobile Tactical Configuration): A compact, mobile HELWS for manoeuvring ground units and strategic asset protection. It is designed for rapid deployment and delivers cost-effective precision interception.
- Lite Beam – 10 kW Tactical Laser System: A lightweight, mobile platform offering tactical laser protection for mobile units. It provides a rapid-response, cost-efficient defence in a compact form.
