Tel Aviv: Armed drones as a major threat is now fully recognised by armies around the world. The defence systems aimed at protecting against armed drones are not effective. Israeli company Rafael has formed a new directorate focusing on the development of advance C-UAS systems.
The company has not revealed the full line of systems under development but shared some details about two of them – The Hunter Eagle and the Ghost Hunter.
A small vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) interceptor drone intended for counter-UAV missions is Rafael’s Hunter Eagle system. It is between 0.4 and 0.5 metres tall and weighs between 5 and 10 kg. The drone’s cruciform wings feature an electro-optical seeker in the nose for autonomous target acquisition and engagement, as well as electric motors at the tips. in contrast to standard interceptors.
Because Hunter Eagle does not carry an explosive payload, it is safer to deploy in urban or heavily populated areas and causes less collateral damage. It can eliminate numerous drone threats by operating alone or in swarms. It can return to its launch location and land vertically if the attack is missed or canceled.
Hunter Eagle is part of Rafael’s layered counter-UAS approach that integrates detection, classification, and neutralisation stages. This includes the existing Drone Dome system for drone detection, the Lite Beam high-energy laser for neutralisation, and new kinetic effectors like Hunter Eagle and the faster Ghost Hunter interceptor drone.
The Hunter Eagle’s design includes AI elements for autonomous flight and swarm tactics to counter increasingly complex drone threats, emphasising safety in urban environments.
The Ghost Hunter differs with turbojet engines providing roughly twice the speed, a larger payload capacity, and a radar housed in the nose. It is currently about a year behind Hunter Eagle in development and slated for demonstration in 2026, with deliveries from 2027.
Rafael’s strategic role in contemporary air defence against UAV threats is strengthened by these technologies, which collectively constitute a move toward drone-versus-drone combat. Because of this, Hunter Eagle fits into Rafael’s larger framework of counter-UAS solutions and is a low-risk, effective tool for military seeking defence against the increasing use of drones on the battlefield.
The Ghost Hunter is a larger, jet-powered drone interceptor weighing around 50-60 kg and measuring about 1.4-1.6 metres. It has a nose-mounted RF radar and twin turbojet engines allowing faster interception speeds. It is more capable for handling advanced threats, with first demonstrations expected in late 2026 and delivery starting 2027.
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
