New Laser System Quells Attacks Along Gaza Strip
New Laser System Quells Attacks Along Gaza Strip
December 27, 2019
Homeland & Cyber Security, Robotics & High-Tech
The Times of Israel — The system, dubbed Light Blade, is intended to shoot the threats out of the sky before they can enter Israeli territory. It was developed for police and the Israel Defense Forces by three engineers from the private sector who worked with Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) researchers and technological departments of the Israel Police and IDF.
A balloon carrying an incendiary device is flown out from the Gaza Strip on May 31, 2019 (Hassan Jedi/Flash90)
Light Blade has a range of up to two kilometers [1.24 miles] and burns airborne threats out of the sky. Several systems developed over the past two years have failed to eliminate the threat. Light Blade will be deployed along the Gaza Strip as well as along the northern border with Lebanon.
Border Police Chief Kobi Shabtai said Light Blade “provides a near conclusive response to everything relating to balloons and kites and delivers a safe and effective solution to the drone threat.”
Watch video of Light Blade test>>
The tactic of launching balloons carrying explosive and arson devices from Gaza into Israel emerged last year as part of a series of protests and riots along the Strip’s border. This method of attack by Palestinians has proved effective as Israeli security forces have struggled to counter the tactic.
Security forces shared details on the new laser system they hope will help defeat the scourge of airborne incendiary devices launched from the Gaza Strip. Devices carried by balloons, kites and drones have started countless fires and burned large swaths of Israeli land since they began being widely used nearly two years ago.
Read more on The Times of Israel website >>
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