Elbit Systems Laser Weapon System Cessna Aircraft Drone
Israel-based Elbit Systems Ltd are developing an airborne laser weapon system that can be attached on aircraft to shoot down drones and other flying targets. They tested an early prototype on a Cessna and managed to take out several drones at ranges of around 1 km, with a far more powerful 100-kilowatt version with a range of 20 km (12.5 miles) set to debut in 2025.



State-owned Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd is also working on a ground-based laser weapon for shooting down aerial threats with a range of 8-10 km (5-6 miles) with a prototype hoping to be ready by 2025. However, this airborne version would have several advantages because it could be operated over clouds, thus reducing bad-weather disruptions that can potentially afflict ground-based lasers.

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As far as we know we are the first one (country) – but maybe, for sure we are among the first countries – that have tried and succeeded (at) such an…interception,” said Brigadier-General Yaniv Rotem of the ministry’s research and development section.

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