Innovative Light-Blade laser can cut down Hamas, Iranian attack drones

A laser-based defense system capable of taking out attack drones even in urban environments has been developed by Israeli experts, who hope to roll out the system for a range of security uses, including at airports.

The system was developed by Prof. Amiel Ishaaya at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev after incendiary balloons started being launched into Israel in 2018, setting fire to farmland and causing widespread damage. Realizing that no one was looking into a way to prevent the balloons from posing a threat, Ishaaya, an expert on lasers, contacted industry experts. Together, they developed the Lahav-Or, or Light Blade defense system.

Together with Dr. Rami Aharoni and the backing of Border Police commander Yaakov

(Kobi) Shabtai, Ishaaya founded OptiDefense to develop the system, working on a shoestring budget of just a few million shekels to develop a prototype within a year.

Applications could include defending public events such as speeches or concerts. The system’s range is several kilometers.

OptiDefense is now seeking investments to further develop and refine the technology.