Israeli startup's laser system intercepts 30 drones per minute

Hezbollah's increasing use of drones poses a significant challenge to Israel's northern border security. In response, Israeli company Esh-Tech Systems has developed "Dronelight," a novel laser system designed to neutralize these threats.

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The system emits hundreds of tiny beams the size of a coin at the target. When one beam is seen to make a hit, additional beams are directed at the target, and the focused energy rapidly shoots it down.

The Dronelight system operates differently from other laser interception technologies. It emits hundreds of small beams, and once a hit is confirmed, it rapidly focuses additional beams to destroy the target. This "machine gun method" allows for the interception of up to 30 drones per minute, a rate significantly higher than existing systems. The system's pulse laser requires only a hundredth of a second for a focused hit and has a range of up to one kilometer.

While Dronelight's output is lower than systems like Rafael's Iron Beam, this allows it to draw power from various field systems, simplifying deployment. This feature is particularly advantageous against future threats like drone swarms, where rapid, serial interception is crucial. The system's low operational cost, estimated at NIS 0.10 per minute, and its compact, portable design make it attractive for integration onto armored vehicles and other platforms.

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With Dronelight's "machine gun method", it only takes a second or two to shoot down a drone, before moving on to the next threat. Thus 30 threats can be intercepted in a minute, instead of just four in the case of existing laser systems.

Esh-Tech, founded six years ago, maintained a low profile until its product was ready for trials. The company has received support from the Israel Innovation Authority and is already working with international armored vehicle manufacturers, securing millions in orders. Israeli defense authorities, including the Ministry of Defense's Directorate of Defense, Research and Development, recognize Dronelight as a key innovation in drone defense.

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The cost is also much lower, at about NIS 0.10 per minute of operation.