Israel's 'Iron Beam': Genius 'Q' who invented country's Iron Dome defence system now plans to build a LASER that can shoot down rockets
- Israel is building a laser that can shoot down rockets using beams of light
- Laser had a 'good test' and officials expect to 'finish the job in numerous years'
The genius who invented Israel's Iron Dome defence system is planning to build a laser that can shoot down incoming rockets using beams of light.
Dr Danny Gold, the country's equivalent to MI6's Q, created the Iron Dome system which is made up of a series of batteries that use radars to detect and intercept incoming short-range missiles.
Israel is now looking to add a 'new dimension' to its multi-layer defence system and has begun testing a laser that can shoot missiles out of the sky, The Sunday Telegraph reported.
Dr Gold, who heads up Israel's Defense Research and Development Directorate, said the new laser was being 'played with' during the ongoing conflict with Hamas and has had a 'very good test'.
'We got authorisation one year ago to go to full scale development and bring the system to the field. We will finish the job in numerous years,' he told the newspaper.
Details of the new laser come as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday reiterated his intention to extend Israel's military operation against Hamas into Rafah despite international alarm over the potential for carnage in an area that is crammed with more than half of the Gaza Strip's 2.4 million people.
The genius who invented Israel 's Iron Dome defence system is planning to build a laser that can shoot down incoming rockets using beams of light. The Iron Dome missile defense system is pictured firing interceptors at rockets launched from the Gaza Strip in May 2023
Dr Danny Gold, the country's equivalent to MI6 's Q, said the new laser was being 'played with' during the ongoing conflict with Hamas and has had a 'very good test'. Dr Gold is pictured at DSEI London in September 2023
As 160,000 Hezbollah rockets are pointed at Tel Aviv and war looms in the north, the Israeli military is looking to expand its air defence system.
The Iron Dome, according to Dr Gold, is 'working well' and 90 per cent successful at stopping incoming attacks, but the scientist says 'you never sit still'.
The system is part of a shield that envelopes the country. Above the Iron Dome is the so-called David's Sling, which knocks out enemy aircraft and long-range rockets fired from up to 200 miles away.
Above the sling are the Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 systems, which offered protection from ballistic missiles fired at Israel by the likes of Iran.
Dr Gold says the new laser would not replace the Iron Dome, but work alongside it, noting that the system 'doesn't work through clouds' and 'needs clear skies'.
The laser also offers cost advantages, explained Dr Gold. 'To shoot light is nothing. It is the price of electricity,' he said, adding that each missile fired by the dome costs approximately £80,000 ($100,000).
The scientist said he can't say 'exactly when' the laser will be ready for routine use but explained how every 'once in a while we play with the current toolkit that we have. If we have the opportunity of people shooting at us, we can expand the testing.'
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