The world’s first operational high-energy laser interceptor is set to significantly reduce interception costs.
(March 28, 2025 / JNS) Rafael Advanced Defense Systems concluded 2024 with record-breaking sales and a significant milestone: the impending operational deployment of its Iron Beam laser defense system.
Iron Beam has a range of up to 10 km. (6.2 mi), complementing the Iron Dome system, which intercepts projectiles fired from a greater distance.
The Haifa-based company reported a 27% increase in sales, reaching 17.8 billion shekels ($4.8 billion), and a 24% rise in its order backlog to 64.7 billion shekels ($17.5 billion), equivalent to more than three-and-a-half-year’s work. Net profit surged 64% to 950 million shekels ($257 million), driven by a strong fourth quarter in which sales hit 5.4 billion shekels ($1.46 billion)—a 20% year-on-year increase.
Despite challenges including employee military call-ups and supply chain disruptions, Rafael CEO Yoav Turgeman emphasized the company’s resilience. “We continued supplying defense products as expected and introduced new innovations. Our order backlog could have been even higher had we finalized additional contracts, which will be completed soon.”