Light Blade (Hebrew: להב אור, Lahav Or) is a laser-based air defense system intended to intercept airborne devices such as incendiary balloons, incendiary kites, and miniature UAVs such as quadcopters, and RAM (rocket, artillery, and mortar) threats. When first deployed in 2020, it was the first laser air defense system in the world.[1]
| Light Blade | |
|---|---|
| Type | Laser air defense system |
| Place of origin | Israel |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Israel Border Police |
| Wars | |
| Production history | |
| Designer | OptiDefense |
| Designed | 2010–2015 |
| Manufacturer | OptiDefense |
Development
editDevelopment was driven by the need for a cheaper missile defense alternative to the Iron Dome.[2]
The system is based on research involving engineers from Ben-Gurion University, the Israel Police, and the Research and Development Directorate of the Israel Defense Forces. Israel Border Police commission Yaakov Shabtai oversaw the system's development. It was officially revealed in 2019, with a claimed effective range of 2 kilometers.[1] Cost per interception is approximately US$3.50;[2] cost per interception by Iron Dome was estimated at $100,000–150,000 in 2020.[3]
Operational history
editLight Blade was deployed operationally for the first time in August 2020 by Israel Border Police in response to the launch of incendiary devices, such as explosive-laden balloons from parts of the Gaza Strip, that caused brush fires in southern Israel.[1] The Sky Spotter system had been developed to spot and track balloons and kites and direct firefighters to their landing spots without delay, but there had been no way to intercept balloons.[4] Light Blade succeeded with almost 100% of interceptions, but because of its short range balloons sent by Hamas from other areas of the Gaza Strip were not intercepted.[5]
See also
edit- DragonFire (UK, range classified)
- Iron Beam (Israel, range 7 km (4.3 mi))
References
edit- ^ a b c Saban, Itsik (2020-08-12). "Israel deploys first-of-its-kind laser system to Gaza border to fight incendiary balloons". Israel Hayom. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
- ^ a b Staff (2020-01-09). "Israeli 'breakthrough' in laser defense will alter strategic reality". Israel Hayom. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
- ^ Episkopos, Mark (8 September 2020). "The "Iron Beam": Israel's Anti-Missile Laser". The National Interest.
- ^ Magid, Jacob; Kirsh, Elana; Fabian, Emanuel (26 December 2019). "Israel unveils new laser system to shoot down Gaza's incendiary balloons, drones". The Times of Israel.
- ^ Ariel Amir, Tal (26 August 2020). "'Light Blade' laser system intercepts nearly 100% of Hamas balloons in its sector". IsraelHayom.