History of Iron Beam in Timeline

Iron Beam, also known as Laser Dome or Eitan's Light, is a directed-energy air defense system. Developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, an Israeli defense contractor, it was revealed in 2014. As a directed-energy weapon, it is designed to intercept and destroy short-range threats like rockets, mortars, and drones using a high-energy laser. The system is intended to complement Israel's existing multi-layered air defense array, offering a cost-effective solution for neutralizing smaller, closer-range targets that other systems might find less efficient to engage.

July 1996: US and Israel Agreement on Tactical High Energy Laser (THEL)

On July 18, 1996, the United States and Israel entered into an agreement to produce a cooperative Tactical High Energy Laser (THEL), called the Advanced Concept Technology Demonstrator, which would utilize deuterium fluoride chemical laser technologies.

2000: THEL Shoots Down Rockets and Shells

In 2000, the Tactical High Energy Laser (THEL) shot down 28 Katyusha artillery rockets and five artillery shells during testing.

2001: THEL Shoots Down Rockets and Shells

In 2001, the Tactical High Energy Laser (THEL) shot down 28 Katyusha artillery rockets and five artillery shells during testing.

November 2002: THEL Successfully Shoots Down Artillery Shell

On November 4, 2002, the Tactical High Energy Laser (THEL) successfully shot down an incoming artillery shell.

2005: US and Israel Cancel THEL Project

In 2005, the US and Israel decided to cancel the Tactical High Energy Laser (THEL) project after the budget surpassed $300 million due to its bulkiness, high costs, and poor anticipated battlefield results.

2007: Ehud Barak Requests Reconsideration of Project Skyguard

In 2007, Ehud Barak requested a reconsideration of project Skyguard (the next phase of THEL) to combat Qassam attacks.

February 2014: Iron Beam Unveiled at Singapore Airshow

In February 2014, the Iron Beam directed-energy air defense system, developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, was unveiled at the Singapore Airshow.

2014: Directed Energy Weapon as a Missing Element in Israel's Defense

Since at least 2014, it has been argued that a directed energy weapon like Iron Beam could be the missing element in Israel's existing layered defense strategies due to its lower cost per shot, unlimited firings, lower operational costs, less manpower, and absence of interceptor debris.

2014: Iron Beam Concept Announced at Singapore Airshow

The Iron Beam concept, as part of a multi-layered defense, was announced at the Singapore Airshow in 2014.

2016: Iron Beam Funded by Israeli Ministry of Defense

As of 2016, the Iron Beam project was funded mainly by the Israeli Ministry of Defense (MoD), with Rafael working to increase the system's range and partnering with other companies to further develop the prototype.

2017: Laser Weapons System Demonstrator Operating

By 2017, a demonstrator Laser Weapons System was operating.

February 2022: Israel to Deploy Iron Beam Within the Year

In February 2022, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett announced that Israel would deploy the Iron Beam system within the year, possibly due to concerns about the sufficiency of Iron Dome projectiles.

April 2022: Iron Beam Successfully Intercepts Targets in Experiments

In April 2022, the Israeli Ministry of Defense and Rafael announced that the Iron Beam system successfully shot down drones, rockets, mortar bombs, and anti-tank missiles in a series of experiments at White Sands Missile Range.

October 2022: Rafael Expects Deployment of Iron Beam in Two to Three Years

In October 2022, Rafael stated that they expected to take "two to three years" to deploy the 100-kW Iron Beam weapon operationally.

December 2022: Rafael and Lockheed Martin Announce Joint Laser Defense Development

In December 2022, Rafael and Lockheed Martin announced a joint effort to develop a laser defense system based on the Iron Beam project, aiming to produce a 300 kW system capable of attacking multiple targets simultaneously.

May 2023: Rafael Unveils Naval Iron Beam

In May 2023, Rafael unveiled the Naval Iron Beam, a ship-based system designed to emit 100 kW to protect vessels from drone swarms and anti-ship missiles, planned to be operational within four to five years and first fitted to the Israeli Navy's Reshef-class corvette.

October 2023: Iron Beam to be Deployed for Testing on Gaza Border

In October 2023, the Ministry of Defense and Rafael announced that they would deploy Iron Beam to the southern border with the Gaza Strip to test against rocket barrages fired by Hamas during the Gaza war.

October 2024: Lite Beam Displayed

In October 2024, a smaller adaptation of the Iron Beam, called Lite Beam, was displayed, capable of being mounted on light vehicles to destroy drones, rockets, mortars, and IEDs with its 10kW beam having a range of 2,000 m. Lite Beam is combined with Samson 30 mm RWS.

October 2024: Hezbollah UAVs Intercepted in Gaza War

In October 2024, during the Gaza War, 40 Hezbollah UAVs were intercepted using what was described as a "scaled-down version" of the definitive Iron Beam system, potentially Lite Beam or Iron Beam-M.

2024: Iron Beam System Under Development

As of 2024, the new Iron Beam system is under development by Rafael (in collaboration with Lockheed Martin for the US market) and funded by the Israeli Ministry of Defense, based on 14 years of research and development in solid-state lasers.

May 2025: Rafael Announces First Combat Use of High-Power Laser Systems

On May 28, 2025, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems announced the world's first-ever combat use of high-power laser systems to intercept aerial threats, which happened in October 2024 during the Gaza War.

September 2025: Iron Beam Renamed "Or Eitan" in Hebrew

In September 2025, the Hebrew name of the Iron Beam system was changed to "Or Eitan" ("Eitan's Light") in memory of Captain Eitan Oster. In English, the system is officially called "Laser Dome."

October 2025: Scheduled Iron Beam Deployment

The Iron Beam air defense system was scheduled for deployment in October 2025; however, it was actually deployed in December 2025.

December 2025: Iron Beam deployed

In December 2025, the Iron Beam system was deployed as the fifth element of Israel's integrated missile defense system, complementing Iron Dome by intercepting short-range threats like rockets, artillery, and mortars at a range of up to 10 km.

January 2026: Iron Beam Integrated into Israel's Armed Forces

As of January 2026, Iron Beam had been officially integrated into Israel's armed forces.

March 2026: Iron Beam Used in Combat for the First Time

On March 1, 2026, the Iron Beam system was reportedly used in combat for the first time, assisting in destroying Hezbollah rockets fired into Israel from southern Lebanon.