Israel tests high-power ‘airborne laser’, shoots down drones
- Tests of the laser, flown on a light aircraft, were successful against several drones
- The Israeli military hopes to deploy the technology on a larger scale in coming years
Israel has used an airborne laser to shoot down drones in a series of tests, officials said, calling it a “milestone” to update its already powerful defence systems.
During the tests, which took place “over the last week,” a prototype of the high-power laser system carried on a small civilian plane “successfully intercepted several UAVs”, said Yaniv Rotem, head of the defence ministry’s research and development unit, using the acronym for unmanned aerial vehicles.
The system could down any flying object, including “drones, mortars, rockets, ballistic missiles,” Rotem said, adding they hoped to have a working prototype in “three to four years”.
It was not possible to verify the military’s claims.
A video released by the Israelis showed the laser system on the back of the small plane, directing a beam of energy towards a test drone, apparently burning a hole and setting it on fire.
The tests saw the airborne lasers intercept drones from a range of 1km (3,280 feet), but once operational, developers claimed it could reach targets as far as 20km (12 miles) away, Rotem said.