For the first time in history, Israel executed an operational interception of a rocket in combat conditions with a laser intercepting system. The system, known as Magen Or or Light Shield in Hebrew and Iron Beam in English, carried out the first operational laser interception in history of an active target.
The first laser interception system of its kind was developed in Israel, and has been in the process of operational preparation and adaptation in recent years. In the past, the system was called “equation changing” since the costs of laser interception are near zero. A successful interception with the Iron Dome system costs tens of thousands of dollars, while an Iron Beam interception will cost a few bucks, according to reports.
This interception is the first of its kind, as though many similar systems have been designed around the world, none have yet reached operational maturity and achieved a truly operational interception.