 | | TEL AVIV/TOKYO -- In a potential conflict with China, the U.S. will need to counter missiles re-entering from outer space, sea-skimming cruise missiles and drone swarms, the latter of which will be hard to intercept with traditional missile defenses.
Directed-energy weapons, such as lasers, may be the solution. The Iron Beam laser defense system developed by Israel zaps airborne targets within two to four seconds each.
When U.S. President Joe Biden arrives at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Wednesday, the first event on the itinerary is to receive a briefing of the latest Israeli missile-defense technology, including the new Iron Beam.
While the U.S. has its own high-energy laser program, developments at the Pentagon often run behind schedule, and the U.S. is feeling the clock tick. The U.S. military is working under the assumption that by 2027, the 100th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army, China will have the capability to successfully invade and unify Taiwan.
Teaming with tech-savvy allies such as Israel -- with plenty of experience in operating missile defense systems -- makes sense in this context. Read more.
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