Elbit Systems has secured a contract from the Israeli Ministry of Defense to develop an airborne high-power laser system for the Israeli Air Force, with initial integration on helicopter platforms. The company disclosed the award in its March 17, 2026, full-year 2025 results, identifying it as an “Airborne High-Power Laser” program.
Investor materials specify podded configurations for fighter jets and a dedicated system for helicopters, advancing Israel’s directed-energy capabilities from ground-based systems like Rafael’s Iron Beam—delivered to the IDF on December 28, 2025—to airborne applications. Iron Beam, which Elbit supported, intercepts rockets, mortars, and drones at ranges up to 10 kilometers using a 100-kilowatt-class solid-state laser.
Elbit CEO Bezhalel Machlis confirmed the contract covers laser pods for combat jets and helicopters, enabling operations above weather constraints like clouds and dust. This addresses short-range threats including drones and loitering munitions amid ongoing conflicts such as Operation Epic Fury.
The program establishes a procurement pathway for operational deployment, potentially on platforms like the AH-64 Apache. Details on power output, contract value, and timelines remain undisclosed. Airborne lasers offer scalable, low-cost engagements compared to traditional interceptors, with potential for simultaneous threat neutralization and offensive uses.
Israel’s move positions the Israeli Air Force as the first to deploy such systems, building on Iron Beam’s proven intercepts during testing.