Light Blade
Light Blade (, Lahav Or) is a laser-based air defense system to intercept airborne devices, such as incendiary balloons, incendiary kites, and miniature UAVs, and RAM (rocket, mortar, and artillery) threats. When first deployed in 2020, it was the first laser air defense system in the world. Development
Development was driven by the need for a cheaper missile defense alternative to the Iron Dome. The system is based on research involving engineers from Ben-Gurion University, the Israel Police, and the Research and Development Directorate of the Israel Defense Forces. Israel Border Police commission Yaakov Shabtai oversaw the system's development. It was officially revealed in 2019, with a claimed effective range of 2 kilometers. Compared to the almost $50,000 cost per interception of the Iron Dome, an interception by the Light Blade costs approximately $3.50. Operational history
Light Blade was deployed operationally for the first time in August 2020 Israel Border Police in response to the launch of incendiary devices, such as explosive-laden balloons from the Gaza Strip, that caused brush fires in southern Israel. Light blade succeeded with almost 100% of interceptions but because of its low range, Hamas managed to send balloons from other areas of the Gaza Strip. See also
Iron Beam

References

Emergency management in Israel
Military lasers
Israeli inventions
Weapons and ammunition introduced in 2019