The Israelis conducted a series of tests of a powerful laser system installed on the aircraft. With its help, it was possible to destroy the drones.
The Israeli Defense Ministry has demonstrated the use of an air-based laser to target unmanned aerial vehicles. As part of the project, a laser from Elbit Systems was installed on board the Cessna 208B Grand Caravan aircraft.
In the video provided by the Ministry of Defense, the laser system tracks the UAV and fires at it. After a while, the drone fails. "The Department of Research and Development of the Ministry of Defense, together with Elbit Systems and the Israeli Air Force, successfully intercepted several UAVs using the onboard high-power laser weapon system (HPL-WS). The interception was carried out at various ranges and altitudes, " the Israeli side said in a statement.
Interception tests successfully completed employing airborne High-Power Laser Weapon System. The system successfully intercepted UAVs mid-air, at various ranges & altitudes, making Israel among the first countries to demonstrate this capability. @IAFsite Video: @Israel_MOD (1/2) pic.twitter.com/pfYDXfuIKL- Elbit Systems (@ElbitSystemsLtd) June 21, 2021
The tests included a number of scenarios, the laser hitting targets at a distance of more than one kilometer. According to the Israeli Defense Ministry, intercepting UAVs with lasers has a number of advantages, such as low cost, the ability to hit vehicles at high altitudes and distances, as well as "protect vast territories."
Laser testing from Elbit Systems
Image source: Elbit Systems
Nevertheless, this method is considered as an addition to already existing defensive systems, such as the famous tactical missile defense system "Iron Dome", designed to protect against unguided tactical missiles with a range of four to 70 kilometers.
Laser testing from Elbit Systems
Image source: Elbit Systems
Israel is not the only one developing lasers for use on board aircraft. The US Air Force Research Laboratory is working on a Self-Protect High Energy Laser Demonstrator (SHiELD) system designed to protect winged vehicles from attacks. It is assumed that the advanced laser system will effectively hit enemy missiles.
Last year, the Americans tested the Model 401 aircraft, designated Son of Ares, with a container of unknown purpose. According to experts, we can talk about testing equipment for a laser installation. The first flight of the unusual machine was performed back in 2017.
In the 2000s, Boeing and the US Missile Defense Agency actively worked with the Airborne Laser test bed-a modified 747-400 aircraft, designated YAL-1. The program, created to study the possibility of using lasers to destroy ballistic and cruise missiles, was canceled in 2011.