Russia Unveils 'Powerful' Lasers in Backpacks to Destroy unexploded ordinance or landmines

This laser weapon seems to be a little bit of a joke! Effective distance only 100 m.

(236) Russia Unveils 'Powerful' Lasers in Backpacks to Destroy Bombs | Vantage on Firstpost | 4K - YouTube

Israel to mount lasers on fighter jets and helicopters

Good news!

"Elbit Systems will develop laser weapons for the Israeli Air Force to be installed on fighter jets and military helicopters, the company said on Tuesday.

Elbit revealed plans to that effect during the presentation of financial statements for 2025, though the company has kept technical details and information about the envisioned timing under wraps. ..."

Israel to mount lasers on fighter jets and helicopters

Trumpf und der Laserkrieg: Wie ein Maschinenbauer Europas Drohnenabwehr baut

Empfehlenswert!

Laser Weapons Are Finally Real: The Iron Beam Era of Israel

Recommendable!

"... Israel's Iron Beam began life in 1996 as a joint US/Israel project. Originally conceived as a chemical deuterium fluoride laser, it swapped over to solid-state, electrically-powered, ytterbium-doped lasers when it moved to Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.

In 2024, recent conflicts resulted in the system being fast tracked for combat duty to intercept hostile drones and missiles and now it has been officially integrated into Israel's armed forces as the innermost layer of the air defenses tasked with intercepting short-range threats, including rockets and mortars. ...

Currently, there are about 17 tactical lasers that are operational, combat-cleared, field tested, or under development. With the advantages of a weapon that can engage targets at the speed of light, has an infinite ammo magazine, and costs the famous "dollar-a-shot" to operate, there's a lot of incentive to bring these online.

It's an incentive that's so great that the Royal Navy has pushed its schedule forward to field its Dragonfire laser to 2027 and others are likely also to see the fast track in the near future. In the short term, these systems will be used to counter drones as well as rockets, mortars, and other close-in aerial threats. ..."

Laser Weapons Are Finally Real: The Iron Beam Era "The future arrived on December 28, 2025 as the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) announced that Iron Beam became the first high-energy tactical laser weapon to be fully integrated and cleared for operations in a national defense array. And it's not alone."

The Iron Beam Laser

Iron Beam to become operational this month in Israel side by side with the Iron Dome

Good news!

"... The laser defense system, developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, which is the prime contractor for the laser program, includes three main systems.

The first and largest is Iron Beam 450, an upgrade to the original system, which includes a 450 millimeter aperture beam director instead of 250 millimeters. This provides the system with an upgraded operating range, higher accuracy and extremely high efficiency. Iron Beam is the only system of its kind in the world with laser power as high as 100 kilowatts. The combination of high energy with the aperture beam director allows a range of about 10 kilometers, and high accuracy despite the limitations of the laser.

These limitations include a significant decrease in efficiency during cloudy and hazy conditions, while its major advantage is that each interception costs $5-$10 compared with $30,000 for each Iron Dome interception. Iron Beam works using a a single strong beam that diverges. It launches 100-200 such beams and when the system detects that one beam has hit its target, it instructs all the beams to be on an identical frequency and focus on the target.

Due to the limitations of the laser, Iron Beam and Iron Dome will be deployed side by side, complementing each other."

Iron Beam to become operational this month - Globes "MAFAT head Brig. Gen. (res.) Danny Gold told DefenseTech Week 2025 in Tel Aviv that the laser defense system will be delivered to the IDF on December 30."

Trumpf und der Laser-Krieg: Wie ein schwäbischer Maschinenbauer Europas Drohnen-Abwehr erfindet

Empfehlenswert!

German laser weapon could be on ships by 2029, say contractors

Good news!

"Germany’s navy could have a fielded laser weapon ready by 2029, following nearly a decade of work between contractors Rheinmetall and MBDA, the companies said today.

The two firms said that they have completed a years worth of testing at sea, with a laser demonstrator now being handed over to the government for further testing at the Laser Competence Centre at the Technical Centre for Weapons and Ammunition in Meppen, something an announcement called a “major step” forward.

“Successful tests conducted on the frigate [Sachsen] proved the demonstrator’s tracking capability, effectiveness and precision under real operational conditions for the first time in Europe,” the announcement says. “These tests comprised over 100 live-firing trials and significantly more tracking trials. ..."

German laser weapon could be on ships by 2029, say contractors - Breaking Defense ""Successful tests conducted on the frigate [Sachsen] proved the demonstrator’s tracking capability, effectiveness and precision under real operational conditions for the first time in Europe," the announcement says."

Zap mosquitoes at home with an AI-guided laser system of the size of a smartphone

Amazing stuff! Do you need to wear any eye protection goggles?

"This new AI-powered gadget claims to shoot down up to 30 mosquitoes per second using laser bursts. It retails for $500."

"... It does so using a LiDAR (light detection and ranging) module which determines the locations of objects by emitting laser light pulses, then measuring how long it takes that laser light to be reflected back by whatever it hits.

When a mosquito is detected in this fashion, a second galvanometer-directed laser is instantaneously used to fatally zap the insect. ...

It should be noted that mosquitoes won't be detected if they're flying any faster than 1 meter (3.3 ft) per second. For this reason, the device isn't ideal for use on speedier pest insects such as houseflies.

The Basic Edition model of the Photon Matrix has a 90-degree, 3-meter (9.8-ft) scanning/killing range, which is boosted to 6 meters (19.7 ft) in the Pro Version. Both models are claimed to be capable of dispatching up to 30 mosquitoes per second. And yes, they even work in pitch-black bedrooms. ..."

Tuesday, July 15, 2025 - Join The Flyover

This ‘Iron Dome’ for mosquitoes shoots down bugs with lasers "The Photon Matrix is an AI-guided laser system that claims it can zap up to 30 mosquitoes per second."

Laser-wielding device is like an anti-aircraft system for mosquitoes

Historic breakthrough: IDF reveals Iron Beam-like laser defense shot down dozens of aerial threats

Good news! Israel exists in a very tough neighborhood! Drones are fired on Israel from at least five different Arab countries plus Iran.

"Following the IDF's announcement of a historic breakthrough on Wednesday that an unnamed laser defense system similar to the much celebrated Iron Beam laser system has shot down dozens of aerial threats during the war, the military on Thursday clarified that the exact number was 35 Hezbollah drones.

Further, the IDF said that this was part of wider efforts which shot down close to 1,000 drones when taking into account all of the various fronts from which hostile actors have tried to attack Israel, including: Lebanon, Gaza, Iran, Yemen, Syria, and Iraq. ..."

IDF reveals it used laser defense system to shoot down Hezbollah drones - Defense News - The Jerusalem Post "The Iron Beam is the most advanced, operational laser in the world, though England, the US, and others have relatively advanced lasers."

India’s “Star Wars” Laser Shoots Down Swarm of Drones with Palki Sharma

Recommendable! I already blogged about it very recently, but here is perhaps a little more information about it. The report is wrong in so far as it omits to mention that the Ukraine is also about to enter this exclusive club of countries that have demonstrated working laser defense weapons like this one. Then, there is Israel.

Ukraine reveals laser weapon that destroys drones, missiles and aircraft

Good news!

India Indigenously Developed High-Powered Laser-Weapon System

Good news! Only three other countries have thus far demonstrated such capabilities, i.e. the US, Russia, and China! Israel is believed to develop such a system.

Why is Europe lagging again?

India, a rising superpower!

US Navy hits drone with HELIOS laser in successful test

Good news!

US Navy hits drone with HELIOS laser in successful test

"The U.S. Navy successfully tested its High-Energy Laser with Integrated Optical Dazzler and Surveillance, or HELIOS, system on one of its warships in fiscal 2024, according to a recently released report.

The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer Preble fired its HELIOS system to zap an aerial drone during a weapons testing exercise in 2024, according to an Office of the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation report published in January. ..."

In this undated photo from fiscal 2024, the Preble fires its HELIOS system during weapons testing.

Israel's Iron Beam set for deployment this year

Good news! LaserAway incoming, flying threats! (Pardon my plug for cosmetic surgery!) 😊

"Israel's Iron Beam laser air defense system is set to become operational in the second half of 2025, and now the "National Defense" website has published comments about the system from Rafael Advanced Defense Systems chairman Yuval Steinitz. ..."

Israel's Iron Beam set for deployment this year - Globes "Rafael chairman Yuval Steinitz told US website "National Defense" that the laser air defense system is continuing to improve its range."

South Korea and Ukraine join laser weapons club

Recommendable!

Israel Defense Ministry signs NIS 2b laser defense system deal

Good news! A very different kind of laser light show!

Iron Dome + Iron Beam

"Israel's Ministry of Defense director general General Eyal Zamir (res.) last night signed a NIS 2 billion order to expand serial production of Iron Beam - the first laser interception system developed by Israel. As part of the agreement between the Ministry of Defense's Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D) (Mafat) and the lead developers Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Elbit Systems Ltd. ... the level of production will be significantly increased in order to supply the laser systems at a faster pace. The delivery target date is miod-2025. ...

Laser systems have advantages and well-documented disadvantages.
Firstly, the system intercepts one rocket at a time, which means that in the case of a barrage, it will intercept only one rocket or one drone unless many systems are deployed simultaneously.
The second problem that complicates the system is the effect of weather that restricts its operations including overcast cloudy conditions, haze and mist. ..."

Defense Ministry signs NIS 2b laser defense system deal - Globes "The agreement signed with Rafael and Elbit for Iron Beam production will significantly cut the costs of intercepting aerial threats against Israel."

This $10M U.S. Army Laser Melts Drones With $3 Beams

This particular weapon is not very convincing! I don't think it will be effective in real combat! E.g. how many shots can it fire? This was not revealed in his video.

In a First, South Korea's Laser Weapons to Shoot Down North Korean Drones

Good news!

Suitcase-sized laser weapon takes down drones in Australian Army tests

What are the options to fight an attacking swarm of cheap drones? Lasers, shot guns, ???

"... lasers have the advantages of engaging multiple targets at the speed of light with an infinite number of rounds for about a dollar a shot, not counting equipment costs. ...

According to the maker, Fractl can run on both battery and AC power and is designed to offer a variety of responses to drones. Not only can it destroy them with a beam the size of a 10-cent piece when they are moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) at a range of 3,300 ft (1,000 m) or burn out sensors at 4,900 ft (1,500 m), it is also a tenth of the size of similar systems and a tenth of the cost.
It can also respond by flashing warnings, dazzling sensors, or inflicting light damage. The laser can be aimed with precision using a hand controller that allows the operator to choose what part of the drone to target for maximum effect. ..."

"... It’s silent, virtually motionless and soldiers can be taught to use it in minutes. ..."

Suitcase-sized laser weapon takes down drones in Australian Army tests The Australian Department of Defence has demonstrated what is not only the country's first laser weapon, but what is billed as the world’s most powerful portable high-energy laser, capable of taking down drones with ground-breaking precision.

Defence's first directed-energy weapon put to the test (original news release)

From the company AIM Defence's website

UK to Deploy DragonFire Laser by 2027: Laser Weapon Era Underway? with Palki Sharma

Recommendable! Is this the answer to drone warfare?