Indra Group is exploring a new electronic warfare (EW) concept that uses a tethered drone to extend sensor reach and improve signal interception on the battlefield.
At the center of the system is a tethered quadcopter carrying communications-band EW payloads, allowing sensors to be elevated more than 100 meters (328 feet) above the ground.
From that vantage point, the system can expand coverage by tens of kilometers while detecting and identifying adversary transmissions, including voice traffic, data links, and drone control signals.
Mounted on a 4×4 tactical vehicle, the setup is designed to support maneuvering units, disrupt adversary coordination, and limit their ability to plan and execute attacks.
Indra’s IndraMind platform adds a cognitive layer that streamlines data analysis and fusion.
The software also provides real-time translation of intercepted communications through a simplified interface, removing the need for a dedicated translator.
“The development of this solution responds to the growing demand for tactical electronic warfare capabilities, with lightweight, deployable and distributed systems operating on the battlefield as nodes in a network,” the company stated.
The system was unveiled at Eurosatory 2026 in Paris.
Driving Spain’s EW Modernization
Indra is also studying the integration of the technology across different types of drones, unmanned ground vehicles, and light tactical vehicles.
The platforms would share a standardized architecture, allowing EW payloads and components to be transferred quickly between systems.
The capability can also operate independently, either from tripod-mounted positions or as manpack-configured units carried by soldiers and controlled remotely from the deployment area.
Each unit includes command-and-control functions that support autonomous operation while enabling participation in a broader mesh-networked architecture.
The effort forms part of the Special Deployable Electronic Warfare Modernization Program for the Spanish Army and Navy.
