Business Insider reported that the Israeli military has installed a high-intensity laser Weapone System on the aircraft, while equipping it with advanced sensors and tracking systems, used for the purpose of attacking many UAVs at different ranges and altitudes.
The Israeli Defense Ministry said that during the system testing conducted by the ministry and local defense company Elbit systems last week, the aircraft "successfully intercepted and destroyed 100% of the UAVs in the test."
In a statement on Twitter, the Israeli Defense Ministry said Israel was "one of the first countries in the world to prove such a possibility," and posted a video of the test.
According to the Ministry of National Defense, this is only the first phase of the program to develop an advanced aerial laser system, which is expected to last for many years. The program aims to add a layer to Israel's multi-layered defense system, enhancing the capabilities of Iron Dome mobile air defense systems, David's Sling defense systems and Arrow missile defense systems.
In the latest fierce fighting between Israel and Palestinian fighters in the Gaza Strip, ground intercept systems such as the Iron Dome were used to intercept missiles and UAVs of the enemy. These important systems have almost all shown extremely good efficiency.
However, using an expensive interceptor missile to deal with a cheap UAV is likely to be ineffective with the use oflasers, which is why the army around the world is increasingly looking forlasers in the air, on land and at sea to intercept UAVs.
Commenting on the recent experiment, Major General Yaniv rotem, who headed the Israeli military's research and development efforts, said "this is the first time in Israel, and perhaps in the world, that this operation has been successfully carried out." He described the experiment as a "breakthrough technological feat," the Jerusalem Post reported.
The general said the weapon was "strong and precise" and could intercept targets "regardless of weather conditions".
In intercept tests last week, the plane was equipped with a laser beam that could shoot down targets within a range of about 1km, but the ultimate goal was still to expand the range of this weapon to dozens, possibly hundreds of kilometers. To achieve that result, it may take a lot more time.
The Israeli Defense Ministry also hopes to expand this capability to other air platforms for attack and defense purposes.
