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DefenceTalk<\/p>\nDefenceTalk<\/p>\n
Israel has used an airborne laser to shoot down drones in a series of tests, officials said Monday, calling it a \u201cmilestone\u201d to update its already powerful defence systems.<\/p>\n
During the tests, which took place \u201cover the last week,\u201d a prototype of the high-power laser system carried on a small civilian plane \u201csuccessfully intercepted several UAVs\u201d, said Yaniv Rotem, head of the defence ministry\u2019s research and development unit, using the acronym for unmanned aerial vehicles.<\/p>\n
The system could down any flying object, including \u201cdrones, mortars, rockets, ballistic missiles,\u201d Rotem said, adding they hoped to have a working prototype in \u201cthree to four years\u201d.<\/p>\n
It was not possible to verify the military\u2019s claims.<\/p>\n
A video released by the Israelis showed the laser system on the back of the small plane, directing a beam of energy towards a test drone, apparently burning a hole and setting it on fire.<\/p>\n
The tests saw the airborne lasers intercept drones from a range of one kilometer (3,280 feet), but once operational, developers claimed it could reach targets as far as 20 kilometers (12 miles) away, Rotem said.<\/p>\n
The laser, Rotem said, uses existing Israeli aerial defence technologies to track and lock its target, before firing a 100-kilowatt laser beam that would down it, Rotem told reporters.<\/p>\n
Oren Sabag, head of Elbit Systems which was working with the Israeli defence ministry on the lasers, called the recent successful trials \u201ca significant milestone\u201d in the product\u2019s development.<\/p>\n
Israel\u2019s defence establishment was in parallel developing a ground-based laser defence system for aerial threats.<\/p>\n
But an airborne system had the advantage of being able to operate at a high altitude and above clouds, which could impair the operation of a ground-based laser.<\/p>\n
Recent tests downed drones flying at an altitude of 3,000 feet (900 meters).<\/p>\n
The electricity-powered lasers provide a significantly cheaper solution to complement Israel\u2019s existing air defences.<\/p>\n
The lasers would be used alongside Israel\u2019s short-range Iron Dome system, as well as its medium-range David\u2019s Sling system, and the Arrow, Israel\u2019s highest-altitude missile interception system.<\/p>\n
Israel\u2019s army, its latest conflict with Hamas in Gaza last month, said 4,300 projectiles were fired by Palestinian militants towards the Jewish state, with the Iron Dome defence system intercepting 90 percent of those headed for populated areas.<\/p>\n
Each Iron Dome missile costs tens of thousands of dollars.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe laser system will add a new layer of protection at greater ranges and in facing a variety of threats \u2014 securing the State of Israel while saving the costs of interception,\u201d Defence Minister Benny Gantz said in a statement.<\/p>\n