Recently, for the first time, the IDF used the Iron Beam combat laser system to destroy missiles launched from Gaza. This incident attracted widespread attention, since it was the first case in the world of successful use of a laser system to intercept a missile. The Iron Beam is a high-power laser manufactured by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems*** that is designed to intercept short-range missiles and projectiles. The system was supposed to debut in 2025 as an addition to Israel's existing Iron Dome interception system. 
Israel's "Iron Beam" air defense system is a laser air defense system that is mainly used to intercept short-range and ultra-short-range air targets such as drones, mortar shells, rockets, and anti-tank missiles. The system has the characteristics of short reaction time, strong interception capability, and good maneuverability, and can communicate and exchange data with other air defense and anti-missile systems in real time, and is integrated into Israel's multi-level defense system. The "Iron Beam" air defense system uses fiber lasers with a power of several tens of kilowatts, which will be further increased in the future. When the system radar detects an incoming missile, the laser device is first integrated into a "stacked array", and then "combined" to form a laser beam with greater energy and power, so as to effectively kill the target. Test data showed that the interception success rate of this air defense system reached 90%. 
The advantage of the "Iron Beam" laser system is its ability to shoot down threats of different ranges, such as missiles, artillery shells and drones, at close range. During last year's tests, the system successfully destroyed targets such as rockets, mortars, drones and anti-tank ammunition. In addition, the operating cost of the Iron Beam laser system is low, the cost of each Iron Dome missile is about 50,000 dollars, and the cost of launching the Iron Beam missile is negligible. 
However, some experts are skeptical about the air defense capabilities of the "Iron Beam" laser system. Some factors may affect the effectiveness of this system, such as the fact that a laser requires a few seconds of contact with an object to generate enough energy to destroy the target, while a missile or projectile can be coated with a layer of heat-resistant material to resist a laser attack. In addition, the performance of lasers in adverse weather conditions is also a concern. Despite some misgivings, the fact that Israel used the "Iron Beam" laser system for the first time to destroy missiles suggests that the new air defense system has proven its effectiveness. With the continuous development and improvement of technology, the "iron beam" laser system may become an important option in the field of air defense in the future.