IAV 2025: Rafael presents Lite Beam and Iron Beam high-energy lasers

Rafael presented its Lite Beam high-energy laser at IAV 2025. (Rafael)

Rafael presented its Lite Beam and Iron Beam high-energy lasers (HELs) at Defence iQ's International Armoured Vehicles (IAV) 2025 conference held in Farnborough, UK, from 21 to 23 January.

The 10 kW Lite Beam has a range of 2–3 km and can counter low-flying Class 1 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as well as ground targets such as improvised explosive devices and unexploded ordnance. A model of Lite Beam mounted on a 4×4 vehicle was shown at Rafael's stand at IAV 2025, but it can also be installed on 6×6, 8×8, and tracked armoured fighting vehicles (AFVs) for mobile and stationary protection of ground forces and critical infrastructure such as airports and power stations.

The 50–70 kW Iron Beam has a beam directory aperture of 250 mm with a classified aim stabilisation accuracy of several microradians allowing it to focus on a specific point on an aerial target to neutralise it. It is designed to counter Class 2 unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) and for counter-UAS and counter-rocket, artillery, and mortar (C-RAM). A model of a palletised Iron Beam HEL mounted on an 8×8 truck was shown at Rafael's stand at IAV 2025, but it can also be mounted on tactical trucks and armoured vehicles.

A Rafael representative told Janes at the conference that Iron Beam uses coherent beam combining (CBC) and has a range that is multiples of the Lite Beam's 2–3 km. He declined to comment whether either HEL is operational after Janes had already learnt that Iron Beam has reached a full operational capability and is in service with the Israeli Air Force.

For more information, please seeAUSA 2024: Rafael reveals Lite Beam laser interceptor .