Lockheed Martin of the US and Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems are teaming up to produce a High Energy Laser Weapon System (HELWS) to cater to the needs of military forces around the world. This new partnership further builds on the strong military alliance between the two forces.
The IRON BEAM project, which was created by RAFAEL and the Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D) of the Ministry of Defense, will serve as the foundation for the upcoming collaborative development.
Both companies will focus on creating a new version of the IRON BEAM system targeted for the US market and other countries as well.
(Photo : TRW/Getty Images)
WHITE SANDS, NM - NOVEMBER 4: A beam director element of a Tactical High Energy Laser(THEL) is seen November 4, 2002 in White Sands, New Mexico. The Army and TRW announced that for the first time a high-energy laser weapon tracked, locked onto and fired a burst of concentrated light energy photons that shot down an artillery shell in flight
First Ground-based Air Defense System
The IRON BEAM system was spearheaded by the DDR&D of the Ministry of Defense, which banks on years of collaborative efforts between RAFAEL and DDR&D.
Lockheed Martin said in a news release that the IRON BEAM had proven its viability and efficiency based on several systems conducted over the previous year.
IRON BEAM is a 100kW-class HELWS that will offer combat at the speed of light. It is anticipated to be the first operational ground-based air defense system that would prevent the threats of UAVs, rockets, mortars, and more.
The multi-layered air defense system in Israel will incorporate IRON BEAM. Lockheed Martin claims that this development will be affordable and operationally effective as it aims to defend population centers, key infrastructure, and strategic locations from emerging threats.
Lockheed Martin's Goal
The goal of Lockheed Martin is to provide the greatest security solutions possible so that their clients may always be one step ahead of their enemies, according to the company's chief operating officer Frank St. John.
Meanwhile, Rafael's Executive President Dr. Ran Gozali, said that the IRON beam is a technological breakthrough that has been proven to combat the most advanced threats from drones, UAVs, mortars, and more. He explains that the system is intended to defend against threats on the modern battlefield.
Lockheed Martin's aerial platforms, such as the F-35, F-16, C-130, and others, have been used in Israel for the past few years. Joshua (Shiki) Shani, chief executive of Lockheed Martin Israel, said that this new partnership would further expand the company's technological prowess in creating defense systems.
The two defense companies will create and deploy this HELWS and look into other possibilities that will benefit military forces in their battle against their enemies.
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