Laser

How Israel's defense-tech ecosystem reshapes the battlefield - and the Start-Up Nation

TECH AFFAIRS: What was once a pipeline of veterans from elite units like 8200 founding cybersecurity start-ups has evolved into a full-scale defense-tech ecosystem.

DELIVERED TO the IDF late last year, the Iron Beam system marks a historic milestone – the world’s first operational laser defense platform capable of neutralizing rockets, drones, and mortars at a fraction of the cost of traditional interceptors.
The Iron Beam laser defense system, pictured in December 2025.

Defense Ministry rolls out Iron Beam laser air defense system across Israel

  Iron Beam, Iron Beam M, and Lite Beam.

Israel set to fully deploy 'game-changing, cutting-edge' Iron Beam laser system this month

DragonFire laser weapon system

UK beefs up Royal Navy counter-drone tech with DragonFire laser system


Bennett's laser bluff: New system promises less than headlines imply - analysis

The new laser defense system is no answer to the threats posed by Hezbollah, and is a delayed response to Hamas.

 Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is seen looking out of his office window.

Israel's laser missile defense system really is a new Star Wars - analysis

Israel's powerful laser has many advantages, including the ability to effectively intercept long-range threats at high altitudes regardless of weather conditions and the ability to defend vast areas.

  BORDER Police officer checks a unit  at a laser system aimed to intercept  incendiary balloons, near the Gaza  border.

Laser defense system will be ready to intercept missiles in a year - Bennett

The laser system will protect Israel from missiles, rockets, drones and other threats.

Police officers check a unit at a laser system aimed to intercept incendiary balloons, near the Gaza border.

Hypersonic missiles and lasers: US Navy reveals concept for next-gen warship

The DDG(X) will be developed with space reservations to support emerging weapon technologies, such as high-powered lasers and hypersonic weapons. 

 Concept for the The DDG(X) guided-missile destroyer

US Navy tests high-energy laser weapon in the Middle East

The Solid State Laser - Technology Maturation Laser Weapons System Demonstrator (LWSD) successfully targeted a floating object in the Gulf of Aden, south of Yemen.

 Amphibious Assault Vehicles cruise towards the well deck of the amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49), in Gulf of Aden

Researchers recreate deep-earth conditions to test stress impact on iron

Iron’s response to stress under such high temperatures and pressures had never been measured to this extent before, leaving researchers puzzled as to how the iron would react.

 Researchers recreate deep-Earth conditions to see how iron copes with extreme stress.

Israeli and German researchers collaborate to present vertical lasers

The research group utilized the concepts of topological photonics with VCSELs that emit light vertically, resulting in a strong and clear laser.

 A single coherent light beam (pink) is emitted by an array of 30 individual lasers.

Lockheed Martin, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems to make new laser weapon

The two companies will work together to develop a ground-based laser weapon system.

Artistic depiction of how innovative laser defense system would function on the battle field

Israeli scientists use 'laser tweezer' to study DNA mystery - study

Using optical tweezer technology, Technion researchers were able to gain a greater understanding of the poorly understood DNA packaging process, which impacts how genes are expressed.

Optical tweezers apply force on DNA, and "unzip" it into two separate strands. Upon reaching the chromatosome the unzipping is halted by contacts of the histone proteins (yellow, pink, blue) with the DNA, revealing whether the chromatosome is in an "open" (right) or "closed" (left) structure.

Striding ahead in turning back the clock: Non-invasive cosmetic treatments