Israel is pretty damn serious when it comes to national air security. So it's probably not a surprise to know that their latest upgrade includes lasers. They will now have five different ways to shoot down incoming projectiles.

The short-range Iron Dome is complemented by batteries of medium-to-long range David's Sling nad longer range Arrow II ballistic missile interceptors. Arrow III will soon be up to handle nuke-toting ICBMs before they become a real threat. But since the country is more likely to incur attacks from short range rockets, they'll be using the Iron Beam to protect themselves.

Developed by Rafael Defense Systems, it is built to handle incoming threats flying at too low an altitude for the Iron Dome to handle. It will rely on a solid state laser to superheat incoming rockets, artillery, mortars and UAVs at a distance of up to 4.5 miles.

Rafael plans to formally unveil the new system next month at the Singapore Airshow:
"The directed energy component known as 'Iron Beam' employs a solid–state laser interceptor designed to engage targets at very short range, below the levels where we currently employ the Iron Dome,"Joseph Horowitz, Director of Marketing and Business Development at RAFAEL's Air Superiority Systems Division told Defense-Update. "As a weapon system, Iron Beam is designed to have minimal collateral damage, minimal environmental impact and no risk to friendly air traffic around the attacked target."
[Defense-Update - NBC News - Israel Defense]