Bennett: 'Our laser defense system is a strategic game changer'

Arutz Sheva ^ | 1/6/22 | David Rosenberg

[Eleutheria5]

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett visited a Rafael facility in northern Israel Tuesday to inspect the new 'Iron Beam' laser defense system.

During his visit, Bennett received an extensive briefing from the Rafael's senior management – led by President and CEO Maj.-Gen. (ret.) Yoav Har-Even, Chairman Dr. Uzi Landau – on the Iron Beam laser system.

Rafael President and CEO Har-Even and members of its senior management also presented the heart of the classified systems that serve the Israeli defense establishment.

The Director General of the Prime Minister's Office, the Prime Minister's Military Secretary and other senior officials also participated in the visit.

Bennett hailed the new laser system as a strategic "game changer" for Israel's missile and rocket defense network, noting that the cost of the existing Iron Dome system, which shoots down incoming projectiles with sophisticated interceptor missiles, is significantly higher.

.....

[Eleutheria5]

But what if they put mirrors all around the rocket, and reflect the lasers back?

[SaveFerris]

Some have suggested that a spinning missile makes it more difficult for the heat to build up in one spot. But I'll have to leave that up to others to comment.

If I was Israel, I would KEEP Iron Dome as a proven system and perhaps deploy lasers as well. Have one system as backup, just in case.

Now, as I understand it. the missiles in an American Ohio sub are spun on a turntable to give them stability as they ascend towards the surface for launch (engine started while still underwater, of course).

It reaches a speed exceeding 13,600 mph within 2 minutes of reaching the surface and ascending, if memory serves.

[reviled downesdad]

Incorrect. Trident missiles are launched from a shallow depth. The main rocket engine doesnt ignite until is is above the surface.

[Jewbacca]

It is a gsme changer.

But rain, fog, clouds, smoke, and blowing sand greatly impede the system. Just like little mirrors.

Of course, sand never blows in the Negev!

[Zenjitsuman]

Have you seen the new A10 Warthog? Israel needs
to buy some for going after Hezzbollah and Hamas.
Also, Israel needs a heavy bomber to drop MOAB’s
on hardened sites of Hezzbollah missile silos.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

You’re probably thinking of corner reflectors? They would not be nearly as focused as the incident beam, and hard to streamline. (Embedding many tiny corner reflectors, as in reflective paint would only make it less focussed.) Making the surface reflective would cause it to reflect rather than absorb energy. I am not sure how effective that would be.

[SaveFerris]

(Trident missiles are launched from a shallow depth)

Yes, I didn’t put it in those words but yes.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

I am certain that when Israel decides to act, they will act decisively and in ways that will surprise and amaze.

[srmanuel]

I’m not an aeronautical engineer, it would seem to me putting mirrors or some other reflecting material on a missile could dramatically change the aerodynamics of the missile and would cause the country to have to go thru a lot of missile redesign and testing to determine if the change actually works.

[SJackson]

Middle East and terrorism, occasional political and Jewish issues Ping List. High Volume If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me.

[JohnnyP]

Tin foil. We have plenty of that. Shiny side out.

[SaveFerris]

The missile breaches the surface yes, but I think part of it is still submerged, no?

You need that stability for a proper first stage ascent.

Thanks in advance.

[EQAndyBuzz]

“If I was Israel, I would KEEP Iron Dome as a proven system and perhaps deploy lasers as well. Have one system as backup, just in case.”

Layered defense. Laser, Iron Dome, and automated CWIS as last resort. Connect everything to an automated offensive battery of rockets that are very nasty.

[SaveFerris]

Exactly my thoughts.

Layered defense.

[Dick Vomer]

getting glue and putting mirrors on a missile isn’t going to happen.... but making the exterior with the composition of highly reflective material might be... or just overwhelm the system with wave upon wave of drones and missiles mixed....

Quantity has a quality all it’s own... The Germans had the best tanks but the Russians had thousands of cheap tanks.....

[Jewbacca]

I am not aware of a new A-10, no.

All I ever heard was that they are getting new wings.

It will be an unpopular opinion on FR bc the A10 is so cool and so effective in places like Iraq and Afghanistan, but the A10 can only survive is extremely “permissive” (that’s a technical term) theaters. It would be destroyed in a place like Ukraine.

Not only is it extremely vulnerable to almost any fighter, there are ample infantry weapons that would destroy them if fielded against all but the mist primitive militaries.

[srmanuel]

Changing the exterior of the missile could happen but even that would require new materials that could withstand the heat and stress that happens, especially with ICBMs

Of course, all that comes with a huge price tag, not something that any country could undertake.

Quantity is another useful strategy but that comes with a real cost as well, bottomline there is no easy answer to counter missiles just like missile defense is very difficult and expensive with no guarantee of success.

[DannyTN]

Would a beard help?

[Eleutheria5]

I’m not giving Hamas any ideas;D

[Jewbacca]

Reflective materials and a double “hull” is the most likely response.

This system is really for basic missiles and is done to lower the cost of firing. It’s hard to spend $100k on a shot on a $5k incoming.

The other, more complex systems will remain in place.

As noted, there are severe limitations on distance laser weapons, notably they scatter their beams when there is water drops in the air. Dust also, to a lesser degree. Kind of a fair weather system.