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The Conversation
The Conversation
James Dwyer, Lecturer, School of Social Sciences, University of Tasmania

Israel’s ‘Iron Beam’: why laser weapons are no longer science fiction

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems

As conflict escalates following the US and Israeli attacks on Iran, and Iran’s subsequent retaliatory strikes, reports have emerged that Israel may have used laser weapons to shoot down rockets fired by Hezbollah from Lebanon.

While the reports are unconfirmed, video circulating on social media appears to show rockets being destroyed within moments of launching without visible intervention – consistent with the effect of a “directed energy weapon” such as a laser.

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