Airborne Laser Weapon System: Israel became the first country to shoot down hostile drones mid-air

With the advent of kamikaze or suicide drones, militaries across the globe have been forced to enhance their counter-drone capabilities. On 21 June 2021, Israel became the first country in the world to use Aerial Laser weapons to shoot down hostile drones. 

For the first time ever: the Israel MOD and @ElbitSystemsLtd and the IAF have successfully completed a series of interception tests employing an airborne, High-Power Laser system. Israel is among the first countries in the world to demonstrate such capabilities. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/F0Egg6HUI6

— Ministry of Defense (@Israel_MOD) June 21, 2021

The Israel Ministry of Defense (MoD), Elbit Systems, and the Israel Air Force have jointly managed to successfully intercept a series of Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs) at various ranges and flight altitudes using airborne High-Power Laser Weapon System (HPL-WS). As per the officials, the prototype will be ready by 2025. 

Aerial laser weapon shot down a drone in Israel

The as-yet-unnamed laser system may add another layer to Israel’s multi-tier defence array, complementing the capabilities of the Iron Dome, David’s Sling and Arrow systems.

In its preliminary tests, the laser weapon was flown on a light aircraft and successfully took down numerous drones at ranges of roughly half a mile (1 km).  

Due to the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic and technical difficulties, the project was delayed by a year. This means that the prototype will only undergo its extensive test at the end of 2021, and will require around three more years before it becomes operational.

A 100-kilowatt prototype with a range of 20 km (12.5 miles) is expected in three to four years, suggesting an operational version to take longer to roll out.

Advantages of the airborne system

1- Low cost per inception
2- Ability to defend vast areas
3- Ability to effectively intercept long-range threats at high altitudes regardless of weather conditions

Technologies used in the airborne system

The new laser weapon will use tracking technologies similar to C-Music, a defence system fitted to aircraft which uses a laser to blind incoming missiles but will destroy incoming targets by heating them up to such an extent that they catch fire within a few seconds. 

Ground-based laser weapon

The Israel Ministry of Defense, Elbit and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd are jointly developing a ground-based laser weapon to shoot down aerial threats, having a range of 8-10 km (5-6 miles). The weapon is expected to be operational by 2025.

Is it the first airborne laser weapon?

No, this is not the first airborne laser weapon. In the early 1980s, a Boeing NKC-135A was equipped with a modified laser. During 2002-2014, the Boeing YAL-1 was outfitted with an advanced airborne laser system (ABL) to identify incoming missiles or other threats. However, neither of the Boeing aircraft were designed to take down drones.

Iron Dome Explained: All about it's working & Israel's Missile Defense System here