to report «iusnews»; Moslem Khalkhal*/// Plasma, the fourth state of matter after solid, liquid, and gas, is one of the most advanced fields of research in today’s military sciences. With its unique capabilities—such as reducing radar signatures, increasing missile speed, creating plasma-based defense shields, and advanced electronic warfare—it is changing global security equations. Militarily advanced countries like the U.S., Russia, and China have invested in this technology for years and are striving to achieve it. However, the global media is currently focused on the idea that Iran has already acquired this knowledge—an expertise previously reserved for far-future superpowers—which, according to international outlets, Iran has now achieved, potentially creating a significant shift in regional and global power balance.
Plasma: The strategic weapon of the 21st century
This report explores the applications of plasma in defense industries, including hypersonic missiles, air defense, electronic warfare, and directed energy weapons, and analyzes what strategic advantages Iran's mastery of this technology may bring against its adversaries.
Plasma in missiles and aerospace: faster, stealthier, more accurate
Reducing friction and increasing speed in hypersonic missiles
One of the most important uses of plasma in aerospace industries is reducing aerodynamic friction. When a missile or aircraft travels at extremely high speeds (supersonic or hypersonic), air friction causes the body to overheat and lose efficiency. By injecting ionized plasma into the surrounding air layers of the missile, friction can be reduced by up to 50%, significantly increasing speed.
Plasma hypersonic missiles: Russia and China are developing missiles like the *Avangard* and *DF-ZF* using plasma technology to reach speeds over Mach 10. Iranian officials, meanwhile, have repeatedly referenced even higher speeds.
Application in drones and sixth-generation fighters: Plasma can enhance the maneuverability and speed of UAVs and next-generation fighters.
Radar stealth and invisibility
Ionized plasma can absorb or deflect radar waves, rendering missiles and aircraft equipped with plasma systems almost invisible to enemy radars—exactly what Iranian officials have claimed: that they possess missiles which enemy defenses and radars cannot intercept.
“Plasma coating” technology: Using plasma generators, a layer of ionized gas is created around the missile or aircraft, acting like a radar-absorbing antenna.
Defeating defense systems: Plasma-equipped missiles can bypass systems like Patriot, THAAD, and Iron Dome, as radar cannot detect them.
Plasma in air defense: an impenetrable shield
Plasma-based anti-missile systems
One of the most advanced applications of plasma in air defense is the creation of plasma beams to destroy enemy ballistic and cruise missiles.
Directed Energy Weapons (DEW): These systems destroy enemy missiles mid-flight using concentrated plasma beams.
Advantage over current systems: Unlike anti-missile missiles (e.g., SM-3 or Arrow), plasma weapons require no physical ammunition and operate at the speed of light.
Creating plasma shields to protect military installations
Using plasma generators, protective bubbles can be created around military bases, power plants, and critical facilities.
Defense against nuclear attacks: Dense plasma can neutralize electromagnetic pulses (EMPs) from nuclear explosions.
Countering drones and cruise missiles: Plasma shields can disrupt the electronic guidance of enemy missiles and UAVs.
Plasma in electronic warfare: paralyzing enemy command systems
Disrupting enemy communications and radar: Plasma can be used as an electromagnetic weapon to interfere with enemy communication and radar networks.
Generating plasma jamming: By releasing plasma clouds into the atmosphere, enemy radio, GPS, and satellite communications can be disrupted.
Neutralizing advanced radars: Plasma systems can absorb or deflect enemy AESA radar waves.
Protecting internal systems from EMP attacks
Plasma shielding for sensitive equipment: In the event of an electromagnetic attack, plasma can protect electronic devices from damage.
Iran’s strategic advantage with plasma technology
If Iran localizes plasma technology for use in missiles, air defense, and electronic warfare, it would mark a historic shift in the country’s defense power:
1. Iran becomes unthreatenable
Iran’s plasma missiles would be invisible to enemy radars, and defense systems like Patriot, THAAD, and S-400 would not be able to intercept them—something Iranian officials have hinted at when stating that no system can intercept some of their missiles. This could be an indirect reference to acquiring such technology.
2. Establishing an impenetrable air defense
Plasma shields can neutralize threats from ballistic missiles, drones, and enemy fighters. This was demonstrated recently when Israel launched aerial attacks on Iran, and the Israelis themselves admitted they did not expect such air defense from Iran. Israeli fighter jets, which had long claimed radar evasion, were unable to approach Iranian airspace, instead launching their weapons from neighboring countries. Over 95% of those missiles were destroyed either before entering Iranian airspace or at its borders by provincial defense systems. Recently, Americans also revealed the presence of their next-generation fighters like the B2, which they claim are radar-evading, in bases around Iran. Yet hours later, Iran released videos of closely monitoring these stealth fighters in real-time, mocking even the heavily-promoted aircraft.
But the question remains: What technology does the defense system that successfully intercepts radar-evading missiles and jets use? This is the very defense system that global military analysts referred to as the “unknown defense system” during Israel’s aerial aggression—remarks that, viewed scientifically, could indicate plasma-based technology capable of destroying enemy missiles and aircraft in a fraction of a second.
3. Superiority in electronic warfare
*Disrupting enemy satellite and communication networks (like the navigation systems of F-35 jets)*
*Protecting Iran’s infrastructure from EMP attacks*
4. Strategic deterrence
Iran’s increased plasma capability would significantly raise the cost of any military aggression against it for adversaries (the U.S., Israel, or any other foreign enemy).
Plasma: A revolution in national defense
Plasma is no longer just a theoretical technology—it is a strategic weapon that could revolutionize Iran’s national security. If this technology is localized, Iran will not only become an impregnable defensive power but also elevate its deterrence capabilities on a global scale. In such a scenario, even the world’s most advanced armies will face serious challenges against Iran’s plasma systems and dare not make a move against it.
*Executive Director of the Iranian Students Newsletter
