File image.
Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems presented two types of interceptor drones during the Paris Air Show which was held from June 16 to June 22.
The company described the first type, dubbed Hunter Eagle, as an inert hit-to-kill interceptor for tactical counter-drone operations.
The interceptor is based on an electric quad-prop drone that can operate on its own or as a part of a swarm. Its warhead-free design enables “safe, accurate defeat of aerial threats in urban or high-risk environments without risking collateral damage,” according to Rafael’s website, which didn’t provide any additional details. An illustrative image of the interceptor indicates that it is equipped with some type of an electro-optical seeker.
Click to see full-size image. (Rafael)
Ghost Hunter is a larger interceptor based on an electric jet drone specifically designed to counter drones of different classes in dynamic, contested environments.
Rafale’s website says that the interceptor has the ability to “adjust flight profile, loiter mid-mission, and re-engage using partial ground data enabling flexible interception in GPS-degraded or fast-changing threat scenarios.” The interceptor is reported to have an operational range of 30 kilometers with an endurance of 10 minutes, although this is not confirmed on the company’s website.
Just like the Hunter Eagle, an illustrative image of the Ghost Hunter shows that it is equipped with an electro-optical seeker.
Click to see full-size image. (Rafael)
Hundreds of drones were launched at Israel following the outbreak of the war in the Gaza Strip in October of 2023, with most of the attacks coming from Lebanon, Iran, Iraq and Yemen. Israel’s multi-layered air defense network and the air force performed not so well against this new threat, which managed to cause heavy losses in some cases.
On May 15 of last year, a suicide drone launched by Hezbollah downed the Sky Dew high altitude missile defense aerostat in northern Israel. Later on October 13, another drone launched by the group hit the Zar’it barracks, killing four Israeli troops and wounding at least 58 others.
With traditional anti-aircraft means unable to stop the threat posed by drones, especially smaller ones, Israel began to work on developing new counter-measures, including everything from electronic-warfare to lasers and now interceptor drones.
The Israeli interceptors are clearly heavily influenced by the concepts currently being used by both Russia and Ukraine, which proved to be effective.
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