Recently, the media reported that Israel is developing a laser system to complete the rocket defense system. The defense establishment and the director of development of military and technological infrastructure (MAPA) must be congratulated for recognizing the need to find an advanced response to the ballistic threat to Israel, which is growing in power these days. A powerful laser integration into the home front defense system is a vital need.
However, the security system introduces a 100-kilowatt (kW) future-powered electric laser. In the US, where the experience in this field is vast, this technology (electric or fiber) has reached 58 kW. Some American companies are trying to reach 100-150 kW, with no proven success in the meantime. Did we actually introduce the Americans to this issue? Great doubt. The trouble is that even this unproven supplier, 100-150 kW, is much smaller than required to intercept the flood of shells, rockets and missiles that threaten us. In order to intercept these threats, the supplier is in the order of 1,000 kW.
Finally, the security system recognizes mega-watt laser power when it states that in the future, the electrical system will be upgraded to that power. These are dreams of asphyxia. Few laser scientists believe in the possibility of an electric laser (fiber) to deliver a magnitude of MW in the next 20 years.
The problem is that the threat of rockets and missiles is immediate (only in May of this year, a Gaza-based Kikuni organization paralyzed half a country for a day and a half, when we launched close to 700 rockets). And what does the security system do? Betting on unproven technology, which is in the process of research and development, instead of implementing existing technology.
It refers to a chemical laser, the source of which is direct fuel combustion, which has reached the order of magnitude of MW (1,000 kW) and more than 30 years ago. Thirteen years ago, a chemical-ready (laser-powered, Skygard) laser system was offered to Israel, based on the US-developed Nautilus demo system with Israeli companies (for clarification: these line writers have no business connection to the project).
This is the system needed for Israel. A system with the required performance, which has been proven and ready to be manufactured by then, rather than a system that is in the process of research and development, and its knowledge gaps are many.
The security system repeats the same mistake again and again. Displays a missing, non-existent solution instead of an already proven one. It is imperative for state leaders to step out of the circle of mistakes and strive to develop an effective rocket and missile defense system.
Dr. Oded Amichai and Brigadier General (res.) Zvi Shor are the heads of the Magen Yavat Association