Lockheed Martin, Rafael To Work Together On Laser Weapons

Lockheed Martin and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems have signed a partnership agreement to cooperate on high-energy laser weapon systems, reports the U.S. defense firm.

Under the deal, the two firms will jointly develop, test and manufacture high-energy laser weapons based on technology developed by Rafael and the Israeli Ministry of Defense Directorate of Defense Research and Development for the Iron Beam program.

The Iron Beam is a 100-kW-class laser weapon that has already demonstrated an operational capability. It is expected to form part of Israel’s multilayered air defense system, engaging rockets, mortars and uncrewed aerial vehicles individually and in swarms.

The cooperation will be focused on developing a variant of the Iron Beam for the U.S. and other markets, Lockheed said in a release.