Lockheed Martin from US - Israeli company Rafael will jointly develop laser weapons.

Lockheed Martin from the United States and Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Ltd have signed a teaming agreement that includes jointly developing, testing and manufacturing high Energy Laser Weapon Systems (HELWS) in the U.S. and Israel.
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The United States and Israel sign an agreement that includes joint development and manufacturing of high Energy Laser Weapon Systems. (Picture source Rafael)

The future joint development will be based on the assets that have been developed independently by RAFAEL and the Ministry of Defense's Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D) within the framework of the IRON BEAM project. The cooperation will be geared towards developing a variant of the system for the American market and others.

After years of joint development by the Ministry of Defense's Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D) and RAFAEL, the IRON BEAM project was initiated by the DDR&D. In the last year, a series of tests on the system was carried out that proved the operational capability of the system. IRON BEAM is a 100kW-class HELWS, expected to be the first-ever operational system for ground-based air defense against threats such as rockets, mortars and UAV’s, delivering engagement at the speed of light.

"This strategic teaming agreement serves as a force multiplier for RAFAEL and the Israeli market. We are working to ensure our customers receive the most advanced, effective, and best-in-class systems. This agreement will expand and diversify the capabilities we can offer to a variety of customers," said RAFAEL CEO and President Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Yoav Har-Even. "Over the last three decades, alongside the DDR&D and the Israeli Ministry of Defense, RAFAEL has invested in laser research and development, resulting in IRON BEAM and we expect to become the first operational laser defense system of its kind. This serves as a clear example of Israeli-made capabilities leading to strategic cooperation which will greatly benefit both sides."

IRON BEAM is set to be integrated into Israel’s multi-layered air defense array. The cost-effective and operationally efficient solution will be able to counter emerging threats, while also defending critical infrastructure, strategic sites, maneuvering forces, and population centers.

“Lockheed Martin’s mission is to deliver the best security solutions that help our customers stay ahead of their adversaries. Working with Rafael, our joint team will help bring this new, life-saving capability to our customers,” said Lockheed Martin Chief Operating Officer, Frank St. John. “This unique capability will enhance Israel’s vital air and missile defense system with state-of-the-art laser technology, and we are honored by the opportunity to expand Lockheed Martin’s role as a security teammate for the State of Israel.”

"We see the capability of IRON BEAM which was developed alongside the DDR&D as a technological breakthrough, with its proven effectiveness against some of the most sophisticated threats including rockets, mortars, drones and UAVs, including in swarms. The system is designed to provide defense against emerging threats in today's complex battlefield, bolstering the strength of the Israeli Homefront, and is a catalyst for forging bilateral collaborations said Executive Vice President Dr. Ran Gozali, Head of the Land and Naval Systems Directorate at Rafael.

“Lockheed Martin is entering a new area of operations in Israel. As a leader of technology, our aerial platforms, such as F-35, F-16, C-130 and more, have been operational in Israel for many years and including CH-53K, these will continue to be into the future. Now, we step into the high-energy laser era and look forward to fielding operational, reliable, and highly-effective systems with teammates such as Rafael,” said Joshua (Shiki) Shani, Chief Executive, Lockheed Martin Israel.

Lockheed Martin has decades of experience designing, developing, and successfully testing of systems and critical subsystems that have executed the entire threat engagement from detection to defeat. Lockheed Martin’s expertise is the product of decades of investment in prototype systems, that have demonstrated effectiveness against various targets. The companies will develop and field this High Energy Laser Weaponsystemand explore additional opportunities to provide this critical capability to the United States and potentially elsewhere.