'Heat to kill' laser beam weapons ready to take on Iranian drones | The National
AI Analysis
Operational 'heat-to-kill' laser systems are now available for countering drone swarms, particularly Iranian Shahed-style drones, at a significantly lower cost per engagement ($1.99/shot) than traditional interceptors. These systems, utilizing technology from Civan Lasers, are reported to have been successfully deployed in recent months. However, effectiveness is dependent on clear line-of-sight and weather conditions.
Key Takeaways
- Operational laser systems can 'fry' drones, cruise missiles, and artillery in seconds.
- A 100kW laser unit can accurately target a coin-sized spot at 10km, but requires clear line-of-sight and favorable weather.
- Civan Lasers’ dynamic beam shaping and beam combination technology is key to the system’s performance.
- The system is being considered for deployment in areas frequently targeted by drones in the Arabian Gulf.
- Interest is high, with the system seen as a potential alternative to expensive interceptor missiles like those in the US Helios and UK Dragonfire programs.
Why It Matters
The deployment of cost-effective laser systems represents a potential shift in counter-UAS strategy, offering a scalable and economically viable defense against drone swarms. This technology could significantly reduce the financial burden of defending against drone attacks, especially in regions facing frequent threats like the Middle East. Successful implementation could influence future defense procurement and force protection strategies.
'Heat to kill' laser beam weapons ready to take on Iranian drones | The National
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A laser drone interceptor that could be used against Iranian drone attacks. Reuters
A laser drone interceptor that could be used against Iranian drone attacks. Reuters
A laser drone interceptor that could be used against Iranian drone attacks. Reuters
'Heat to kill' laser beam weapons ready to take on Iranian drones
Advanced system could be used to take out Shahed swarms at a fraction of the cost
May 22, 2026
English
Arabic
- Laser defence systems using “heat to kill” are operational, countering Shahed-style drones at a fraction of interceptor costs and suited to high-threat locations.
- Operational lasers fire at light speed, “frying” drones, cruise missiles and artillery in seconds, with each shot costing $1.99.
- A 100kW unit with telescope and radar can focus on a coin-sized spot at 10km, rapidly engaging swarms but is weather and line-of-sight dependent.
- High-power performance relies on Civan Lasers’ dynamic beam shaping and complex beam combination, a breakthrough enabling precise, microsecond energy control.
- “This system really is a game changer and is the only laser that has anywhere this performance that's operational,” Dr Yehoshua Kalisky said.
Laser defence systems are now battlefield ready to take on Iran's Shahed and other offensive drones with a beam that "fries" incoming targets.
Defence experts see new "game-changer" systems as operationally ready for the threat that Iran has posed across the Arabian Gulf since March. The laser weapons could be located in places being "plastered by drones" and match the threat.
Manufacturers are already producing innovative laser defence systems to hit drones at a fraction of the cost of current million-dollar interceptors.
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With the Shahed-136 drones having caused damage across the Middle East over recent months, defences are still being rebuilt. Executives claim there is intense interest in the innovative “heat-to-kill" laser system. Smaller versions of the US Helios system and the UK's Dragonfire naval option are the holy grail of the industry.
The weapon's lasers are fired at the speed of light able to “fry” drones, cruise missiles or artillery shells in seconds, and crucially cost just $1.99 each time.
Some caveats exist around the range of the devices, with the most reliable laser a version that waits for the target to enter a clear line-of-sight before emitting the beam that "burns" it. Clear weather is also an optimal condition for use.
A defence source disclosed to The National that the laser beam has “been operational and proven to have been successful in its performance in the last few months”. It is understood to have been