Rafael aims to take Iron Beam from rocket defense to ballistic missiles
The company says its operational laser system could expand beyond drones and rockets as it pushes toward a new generation of air defense.
Israeli defense company Rafael believes its Iron Beam laser air defense system could evolve from intercepting rockets, drones and other short-range threats into a technology capable of destroying ballistic missiles within the next several years.
Rafael Chairman Yuval Steinitz said the company expects to develop a laser system capable of intercepting large ballistic missiles from long distances within three to four years.
“It’s my estimate that in between three to four years from now, we will be able to have a laser that is also capable of shooting down large ballistic missiles from far away,” Steinitz said in an interview with Aviation Week during the Farnborough Airshow.
The ambition reflects a broader shift in missile defense technology. For decades, countries have relied primarily on expensive interceptor missiles to defend against incoming threats. Rafael believes high-energy lasers could eventually become a central component of future air defense networks, offering a lower-cost option against large numbers of threats.
Steinitz told Aviation Week that within 10 to 20 years, laser-based systems could become the main missile defense technology used by Israel and other countries.
Rafael began developing Iron Beam several years ago using its adaptive beam adjustment technology. The company delivered the first operational system to the IDF late last year, and it has since been integrated as an additional layer alongside Iron Dome.
The system was initially designed to address shorter-range threats, including rockets, drones and other aerial targets. Ballistic missiles remain a significantly harder challenge because of their speed, altitude and physical structure, but Steinitz said Rafael believes advances in laser technology will eventually overcome those limitations.
The development comes as countries worldwide are reassessing air defense requirements following recent conflicts that have highlighted the growing role of missile attacks, drones and saturation threats.
Rafael has already received export licenses for Iron Beam, although Steinitz did not identify potential customers.
Beyond exports, Rafael is also looking to participate in the United States’ ambitious Golden Dome missile defense initiative.
“We have a good package for Golden Dome,” Steinitz told Aviation Week, adding that he had raised the issue with U.S. officials. “I made it clear that if they want, Israel can contribute to the Golden Dome program.”
The laser push comes as Rafael expects continued growth across its defense portfolio.
The state-owned company’s backlog is expected to exceed 100 billion shekels ($32.8 billion), more than four times the level in 2022, according to Steinitz. The company expects international sales to become the primary driver of growth after Israel’s recent wars increased the share of domestic activity.
About 70% of Rafael’s sales next year are expected to come from export customers.
The company is seeking to expand particularly in the United States, with Steinitz saying he wants Rafael to eventually become “an Israeli-American company.”
Rafael already operates several U.S. facilities, including a joint venture with RTX producing Iron Dome interceptors in Arkansas. The company is also expanding cooperation with Kratos on solid rocket motors.
Germany and India have also been identified as key markets for future production and research activity. Germany could potentially become home to a third Iron Dome interceptor production site if Berlin approves the purchase of the system.
Steinitz also renewed his call for partial privatization of Rafael, arguing that the company needs a different structure to compete globally.
“We have to move in this direction in order to be able to compete in the future,” he said.
According to Steinitz, becoming partially private would allow Rafael greater flexibility in competing for talent, offering more competitive compensation and pursuing acquisitions without lengthy government processes.
