As Israel’s Defence Ministry and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems push forward with advancements in ground-based laser defense systems, Elbit Systems is charting a more ambitious course: integrating lasers directly onto aircraft. This long-term endeavour, while still years away from fruition, promises to redefine aerial combat and defence strategies.
Oded Ben David, Elbit’s Chief Technology Officer for Electro-Optic Systems, explained to The Jerusalem Post that air-based lasers offer distinct advantages over their ground-based counterparts. “Dealing with turbulence and other atmospheric challenges is far easier when striking a target from above than when attempting to ascend from the ground to shoot down an aerial threat,” he said. The ability to engage targets from an elevated position not only enhances precision but also reduces the time and energy required to neutralise threats.
Moreover, aerial lasers represent a more versatile and immediate solution for both defensive and offensive operations. Unlike ground-based systems, which must adjust their trajectory and targeting more slowly, airborne lasers can be deployed with greater agility. “Aerial lasers are the holy grail of lasers in that they can be used more effectively and suddenly on both defense and offense,” Ben David noted.
However, the development of airborne laser systems presents significant technical challenges. Ben David acknowledged that while ground-based lasers are already operational, their airborne counterparts will require far greater power and range to be effective. “These lasers work very differently from those that Elbit plans to develop, which will be able to strike aerial threats at much greater distances and which will have much more powerful laser beams,” he said.
One of the key differences lies in the operational scope of these systems. Current air defences are designed to protect against threats approaching the aircraft directly, whereas future airborne lasers will be tasked with engaging targets at a distance—far from the aircraft carrying the laser. This shift in capability could revolutionise air defence, allowing for the interception of threats before they come within striking range of critical assets.
Elbit Systems President and CEO Bezhalel Machlis emphasised the strategic importance of this development. “The company is dedicated to developing high-energy laser systems for military applications, first and foremost an airborne laser with the potential to bring a strategic change to air defense capabilities,” he said. Machlis also underscored the national significance of the project, stating that the laser will be fully Israeli-made, arguing, “It will transform the country’s defense array.”
As Israel continues to invest in cutting-edge defence technologies, the race to develop airborne lasers highlights the country’s commitment to maintaining a technological edge in an increasingly complex security landscape. While ground-based systems provide a critical layer of defence, the potential of airborne lasers to reshape aerial warfare cannot be overstated. If successful, this innovation could set a new standard for military laser technology, influencing global defence strategies for years to come.