Combat Lasers Shootdown Drones and Missiles in Iran War

By Brian Wang

Combat Laser Technology Overview

• 2026 Iran war marks era of fully operational combat lasers

• Israel deploying 100 kilowatt systems (Iron Beam) successfully shooting down drones and slower missiles

• Previous 2024-2025 Gaza deployment used weaker systems versus weak and slow drones

• Rafael (Israeli defense supplier) manufacturing complete laser suite

  

Rafael Laser Systems Portfolio

• Iron Beam (100kW)

  • 7-10km range (4-6 miles)

  • $2-5 per shot energy cost

  • 2-5 seconds burn-through time

  • Targets: rockets, mortars, drones, some missiles

• Iron Beam Mobile (50kW)

  • Truck and helicopter mounted

  • 2026 deployment timeline

  • Integrated sensors for detection and targeting

  • High flight survivability system

    

    

    

• Iron Beam Light (10kW)

  • Military Humvee deployment

  • 1+ mile range under good conditions

  • Truck and chopper variants

System Capabilities & Limitations

• Highly reflective coatings add maximum 1 second delay (99% reflective still allows 500W penetration)

• Weather dependent - dust storms, fog reduce effectiveness

• Regular missiles needed as backup during poor conditions

• Power scaling advantages:

  • Higher power = longer range, shorter engagement times

  • 300kW systems (2030 target): 0.3 second burn-through vs 2 seconds

Costs & Deployment Timeline

• Current pricing:

  • 50kW system: $10-30M

  • 100kW system: $20-50M

  • Mass production could reduce to $10-20M range

• US Navy: 60kW Helios laser on destroyer (active in Iran war)

• Planned scaling:

  • 68 US destroyers to receive 60kW systems

  • 150kW systems testing 2026-2027

  • 250-300kW systems in development

  • Megawatt systems for ICBM defense

• Market expansion: Gulf countries (Saudi, Kuwait, UAE) likely customers

• Lockheed Martin: primary US contractor