Israel claims drone interceptions with high-power lasers

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This week, Israel announced its military had intercepted about 40 drones in the ongoing Gaza conflict, using high‑power laser systems—a first for combat. Most of the drones were Hezbollah UAVs from Israel’s northern border. The Israeli Air Force’s new tactical air defense battalion, under the IDF’s Northern Command, operated these systems. The Israeli Defense Ministry didn’t specify which systems were used, but images suggest Rafael’s Lite Beam laser system, and an Iron Beam‑M version, may have been involved, Defense News has reported. Lite Beam is a 10‑kW high‑energy laser for targeting small drones, while Iron Beam‑M is a 50‑kW mobile laser variant.