Israeli defense industry presents new drone interception technologies during trial run VIDEO/PHOTO

The Israeli Ministry of Defense has conducted its second drone interception system test since October last year.

Nine companies have been participating in the trial where 20 different drone interception technologies were showcased, Caliber.Az reports citing Israeli media. 

Among the companies involved were Israeli defense manufacturing giant Rafael, well-known for the development of the country's "Iron Dome" short-range missile defense system, as well as Elbit, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Airobotics, Robotican, Xtend, General Robotics, Smart Shooter, and Tamar. 

In the course of the trial, Defense giant Rafael showcased an armored vehicle equipped with a radar, laser, and a 30mm cannon. Designed primarily to protect IDF ground forces and military bases, its range is relatively limited but addresses the growing threat of drone attacks on soldiers.

The Raider, an interceptor drone designed for various airborne threats, integrates with existing detection systems and launches autonomously from a docking station. With a range of up to 5 km, it relies on an optical targeting system for final guidance. At 10 meters from the target, it deploys a large synthetic fiber net (4x4 to 6x6 meters) to disrupt the drone’s flight, causing it to crash or land.

Israeli company Airobotics, a subsidiary of the US-based Ondas, presented a drone that captures enemy UAVs instead of destroying them. It uses a rigid net to entangle and neutralize hostile drones without self-destruction.

Elbit unveiled its experimental Iron Hawk, an interceptor drone with advanced interception capabilities. However, further technical details were not disclosed.

This system combines the Lite Beam laser system with the Samson remote-controlled combat module, featuring a 30mm cannon. The 7.5-kilowatt laser is significantly less powerful than the Iron Beam system but can intercept targets at distances ranging from 100 to 2,000 meters.

Drone manufacturer Xtend introduced the Scorpio-1000, an interceptor drone designed for neutralizing enemy UAVs. This mobile weapon can track the trajectory of an incoming hostile drone, approach it head-on, and deploy a dispersing charge at the last moment to destroy it.

The Scorpio-1000 can reach speeds of 70 km/h (43 mph) and has a flight range of nearly 5 km. It is equipped with electro-optical sensors, operates effectively even in GPS-jammed environments, and integrates with existing detection systems.

Several firearm-based solutions were also showcased, including machine guns, including a Gatling-style minigun mounted on a tripod, aviation cannons for anti-drone defense and other unconventional drone interceptors.

Other unique concepts presented included a flying saucer-like drone designed to ram and destroy enemy UAVs, as well as a missile-like interceptor drone that launches vertically at high speed to collide with enemy drones from below. 

These advancements reflect Israel’s ongoing efforts to counter the growing threat of drone warfare through innovative and multi-layered defense solutions.

By Nazrin Sadigova