Elbit Systems awarded $200 million contract to supply Iron Beam laser
Elbit Systems is developing the laser for the Rafael’s Iron Beam air defence system. (Photo: Rafael)
At AUSA 2024, Rafael Advanced Defence Systems outlined plans for three versions of its Iron Beam air defence system and said it expected to field the largest version next year.
Israel’s Elbit Systems has been awarded a US$200 million contract to supply high-power laser systems for Rafael Advanced Defence Systems’ Iron Beam air defence system.
The contract was awarded by the Israeli Ministry of Defence and includes ongoing support services.
Iron Beam is being developed by Rafael Advanced Defence Systems which expects to field its 100kW-class high-energy laser weapon system operationally in 2025 and this latest contract supports that programme.
The system is designed to protect against mortars, rockets and UAS at closer ranges and is designed to provide another of air defence alongside larger operational systems such as Iron Dome.
The company is also developing the 50kW mobile truck-mounted Iron Beam-Mobile (Iron Beam-M) as part of an 18-month development phase and is also developing a 10kw system dubbed Lite Beam.
Bezhalel Machlis, president and CEO of Elbit Systems, described the “laser capability as a leap forward in future defence against various threats”.
In December 2022, Lockheed Martin and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems signed an agreement which paves the way towards developing a variant of the laser for the US and other markets.
Under a teaming agreement, the two firms will jointly develop, test and manufacture laser weapons in the US and Israel, building on assets developed independently by Rafael and the Israeli MoD’s Directorate of Defence Research and Development under Iron Beam.
More from Land Warfare
-
![BAE Systems receives $656 million contract for more Bradley vehicles]()
BAE Systems receives $656 million contract for more Bradley vehicles
BAE Systems has been contracted to install modifications on older versions of the M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) creating the M2A4 and M7A4 and keeping the platform in service until 2050.
-
![Italy signs $784 million deal for tactical and logistic trucks]()
Italy signs $784 million deal for tactical and logistic trucks
The contract is for the supply of a variety of military logistic platforms equipped with tactical cabins and based on the new range of IDV SMR6 trucks (Standard Military Range), which includes 4×4, 8×8 and 10x10 variants.
-
![Land Warfare Preview 2025: Questions remain in a time of change]()
Land Warfare Preview 2025: Questions remain in a time of change
The land war in Ukraine has dominated the posture, spending and actions of Russia and NATO countries for two years. With a new US Government committed to ending the conflict early in 2025, there are implications on all three of those fronts.
-
![Rheinmetall contracted by Ukraine to deliver Marder IFVs and propellant charge modules]()
Rheinmetall contracted by Ukraine to deliver Marder IFVs and propellant charge modules
The German manufacturer signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ukraine to expand their strategic cooperation which will include post-war rebuilding.
