Iran fired roughly 650 ballistic missiles at Israel during the 2026 war, and more than half of them carried cluster‑bomb warheads.
By Hezy Laing
During the 2026 war Iran fired roughly 650 ballistic missiles at Israel, and more than half of them carried cluster‑bomb warheads. These cluster‑armed missile attacks on Israel caused at least 20 civilian fatalities, the majority of the deaths from the recent war. This is therefore a growing threat that Israel and other nations will increasingly need to deal with. Thankfully a solution is emerging.
Israel’s new Iron Beam laser defense system, also known as “Or Eitan,” represents a significant evolution in countering modern aerial threats, particularly cluster munitions and drone swarms. Developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems with support from Elbit Systems and Lockheed Martin, the platform introduces high-energy laser interception that operates at the speed of light, offering a rapid and precise response to incoming projectiles.
Unlike traditional missile-based systems, Iron Beam uses concentrated laser energy to neutralize threats by heating a small, targeted نقطة until structural failure occurs. This allows it to destroy rockets, artillery shells, and unmanned aerial vehicles within seconds of detection. Its speed and accuracy are especially critical in scenarios involving swarm attacks or cluster-style salvos, where multiple threats must be engaged almost simultaneously.
One of the system’s most notable advantages is its “endless magazine.” Because it relies on electricity rather than physical interceptors, Iron Beam can sustain continuous fire without the logistical constraints of reloading. This makes it particularly effective against high-volume, low-cost attacks designed to overwhelm conventional defenses. Additionally, each interception costs only a few dollars in energy, dramatically reducing the financial burden compared to traditional interceptor missiles.
Iron Beam is designed to complement Israel’s existing Iron Dome system rather than replace it. While Iron Dome remains optimized for longer-range and higher-altitude threats, Iron Beam focuses on short-range engagements, typically within a range of 5 to 10 kilometers. This layered approach enhances overall defensive resilience while conserving more expensive interceptors for critical targets.
However, the system is not without limitations. Its performance can be degraded by adverse weather conditions such as heavy clouds, rain, or dust, which can disrupt the laser beam. Despite these constraints, Iron Beam’s ability to engage multiple targets in rapid succession positions it as a crucial addition to Israel’s multi-tiered defense architecture, particularly in countering the growing challenge of saturation attacks.
