By John Q. Hosedrinker 
In the coming months, Israel’s Defense Ministry and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems will finalize a significant agreement. This deal centers on the acquisition of a substantial number of compact anti-missile laser systems. The systems are expected to bolster Israel’s defense capabilities against various threats. This procurement represents a major investment in advanced laser technology for the country’s defense.
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The Israeli military’s planned acquisition of personal laser defense systems for troops is generating considerable buzz, and for good reason. The idea of soldiers equipped with laser weapons evokes images straight out of science fiction, prompting questions about feasibility and implications. The initial reports paint a picture of a revolutionary leap in battlefield technology, but a closer look reveals a more nuanced reality.
The core concept revolves around counteracting the growing threat of inexpensive, readily available drones and missiles used in modern warfare. These systems could prove invaluable in neutralizing these threats, offering a significant advantage in asymmetric conflicts. However, the practicalities are far more complex than a simple “pew pew pew” scenario.
Existing vehicle-based laser defense systems are still in the relatively early stages of development and deployment. The energy required to effectively destroy a missile in flight, rather than just temporarily disabling it, is substantial, even for larger, vehicle-mounted systems. The power levels needed for these “personal” laser defense systems, and the number required for effective area coverage, remain crucial unknowns. A successful system would need to effectively neutralize multiple targets, even those moving at high speeds with considerable angular velocity.
The term “personal laser defense system” itself warrants clarification. Initial reports suggest the system is closer in size and functionality to the UK’s DragonFire system or the Spartan Laser concept— a man-portable, crew-served weapon, rather than something truly wearable by a single soldier. It might be more accurate to describe it as a “personnel” laser defense system, reflecting its use in protecting groups of soldiers rather than individual soldiers.
Recent reports mention that Rafael Advanced Defense Systems has overcome significant technological hurdles, developing solutions to counteract atmospheric disturbances and focus multiple laser beams into a single, high-energy beam capable of hitting small targets. This technology, potentially applicable to this new system, represents a marked advance in laser technology and its potential uses in warfare. The ability to coordinate multiple laser beams simultaneously to strike a single target would significantly improve the system’s effectiveness and speed, making it a true game-changer.
While this development undoubtedly represents significant progress, certain aspects remain debatable. The capacity to destroy, rather than merely blind, anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) and kamikaze drones remains a point of skepticism. Neutralizing drones made of 3D-printed plastic might require less energy, but targeting remains a significant technological challenge. Whether the system’s targeting and tracking capabilities can handle fast-moving, maneuvering drones in close proximity is still an open question.
The system’s size and weight also raise important questions. While described as “personal” or “man-portable”, the image available from Rafael’s website suggests a relatively large device, more akin to a crew-served weapon system mounted on a vehicle or tripod than something a soldier could easily carry and use independently. The development path clearly aims at reducing size and cost, making such systems deployable more readily on a smaller scale. It is a step towards smaller systems, not the final evolution.
In summary, the prospect of laser-equipped soldiers represents a thrilling leap forward in military technology. However, it’s crucial to approach the narrative with a balanced perspective. While the technology is impressive and promises significant advantages in countering drone and missile attacks, it is not a “personal” system in the literal sense. It represents a more compact and adaptable version of existing laser defense systems, focusing on countering smaller, more readily available threats like quadcopters and smaller drones. The headline and initial reports seem to have overstated the immediate impact and capabilities of this system. Further clarity on the system’s actual power, range, and limitations is needed before making definitive judgments about its battlefield effectiveness.