Israel announces successful laser tests

The Israeli Ministry of Defense’s (MoD’s) Directorate of Defense Research and Development announced (DDR&D) on 14 April the first successful series of live-fire tests using a high-power ground-based laser interception.

During the trial, which was conducted with the system’s primer contractor Rafael, lasers destroyed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), mortars, rockets, and anti-tank missiles in flight, according to the MoD.

It released video showing rockets, mortars, and a UAV being launched during the trial and infrared footage of them being destroyed in the air.

“About a month ago, we announced a full-scale development order to develop and produce a high-power laser defence system,” Minister of Defense Benny Gantz said in a statement. “Today marks the first time that a high-power, Israeli-made laser system successfully intercepted various targets, constituting a breakthrough on a global scale.”