Israel Tests Major Iron Dome Upgrade Ahead of Integration With the "Or Eitan" Laser System

Israel’s Defense Ministry and Rafael have successfully completed a large-scale series of tests of the "Iron Dome" system, examining a range of upgrades designed to strengthen the system’s defensive capabilities and adapt it to evolving battlefield threats. The series also included the first drills for combined operation with the high-powered "Or Eitan" laser system, which is intended to serve as a complementary system to "Iron Dome."

The tests were led by the Defense Ministry’s "Homa" Administration within the Directorate of Defense Research and Development, in cooperation with Rafael. During the testing series, the system incorporated operational lessons gathered during the war and operations against Iran, alongside the evaluation of new capabilities intended to improve the operational response of the air defense array.

During the tests, several upgrades added to "Iron Dome" were examined, with the goal of improving its ability to handle a wide range of scenarios simulating current and future threats. Among other things, the system was tested against rockets, cruise missiles, and UAVs, alongside technological upgrades designed to strengthen its ability to cope with higher rates and larger volumes of fire.

At the same time, the series also included joint operation scenarios with the "Or Eitan" laser system. This is a high-powered laser system developed by the research and development unit within the Directorate of Defense Research and Development, and it is intended to operate as a complementary system to "Iron Dome." As part of the test, the operation of both systems was drilled from the "Iron Dome" command-and-control array, as part of the operational integration process for the new laser system.

Defense Ministry officials emphasized that the testing series combined the examination of operational upgrades with a review of how "Or Eitan" would be integrated into the multilayered defense array. The goal of the process is to ensure that the systems can operate in full coordination even against complex threats and on a large scale, relying on the capabilities evaluated during the series.

The Defense Ministry said the capabilities demonstrated during the testing series mark another step forward in building Israel’s future defense array. In its words, "The new capabilities proven in the test constitute a significant step in the ability to להתמודד with a variety of attack scenarios, and they are another layer in the Defense Ministry’s strategy to improve readiness ahead of an intense security decade while preserving the IDF’s qualitative and strategic advantage in defense and offense in future campaigns."