‘Light Shield’: Israel’s Laser Weapon
By Sérgio Santana
In recent days, it was announced that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) were responsible for the combat debut of a revolutionary weapon system: the “Light Shield” (also informally known as “Laser Beam”).
According to released videos, the device successfully intercepted an enemy drone during “Operation Iron Swords” in the Gaza Strip, marking the first time in the history of armed conflicts that a laser weapon has been used in actual combat.
The Origins of the “Light Shield/Laser Beam”
Although used now in 2025, the concept behind this weapon system dates back nearly 30 years.
In July 1996, the governments of the United States and Israel signed an agreement for the cooperative production of a Tactical High Energy Laser (THEL), which had originally been developed as part of the “Nautilus Project” — one of the components of the Strategic Defense Initiative, better known as “Star Wars,” canceled in 1993.
THEL used deuterium fluoride chemical laser technology and began firing tests two years later. Its Initial Operational Capability (IOC) was expected in 1999 but was repeatedly delayed, although the system continued to be evaluated: between 2000 and 2002, it destroyed a variety of artillery rockets in different test scenarios, including those launched by “Katyusha” systems.
However, in 2005, both governments decided to cancel the project “due to high costs relative to poor results under test conditions,” even though the system had a 100% success rate in 46 test firings. It was briefly reconsidered two years later under the “Skyguard” proposal, an evolution of the original concept, intended to neutralize attacks by “Qassam” rockets.
Technical Characteristics and Employment Potential
Compared to other laser weapon systems, THEL’s concept uses optical fibers combined with rare earth elements, which operationally results in more accurate target focusing, high output power, extremely high optical gain (due to active regions extending several kilometers), and continuous output power in the kilowatt range.
Its high surface-to-volume ratio allows efficient cooling, and the fiber’s physical properties reduce or eliminate thermal distortion of the optical path — typically producing a high-quality, diffraction-limited optical beam, a critical feature for this class of weapons.
VIDEO: Light Shield in action
As a result of the project’s revival, the weapon system — officially named “Light Shield” — was unveiled at the Singapore Airshow in 2014. It is produced by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems (in partnership with Lockheed Martin for the U.S. market and funded by Israel’s Ministry of Defense), as part of a layered air defense strategy.
A “Light Shield”/“Iron Beam” battery consists of an air defense radar, a command and control (C2) unit, and two laser emitter systems, capable of generating 100 kW of power with a beam diameter the size of a coin and a range of 10 km. It can be operated remotely via datalink and is effective against multiple attacks from drones, artillery and mortar shells, and cruise missiles.
The estimated cost per laser shot is as low as 5 U.S. dollars, making it highly attractive to nations with limited defense budgets.
Bachelor of Aeronautical Sciences (University of Southern Santa Catarina – UNISUL), postgraduate in Aeronautical Maintenance Engineering (Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais – PUC/MG). Contributor to Shephard Media. Contributor to Air Forces Monthly, Combat Aircraft, and Aviation News. Author and co-author of books on Intelligence/Surveillance/Reconnaissance aircraft, naval ships, combat helicopters, and air operations.
