Rafael Advanced Defense Systems has shrunk electronic warfare down to drone scale with “STORM SHIELD,” a self-protection system designed for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Built as a lightweight suite, STORM SHIELD is intended to help drones defend themselves against a broad range of threats while operating in contested environments.
The system continuously monitors the electromagnetic spectrum and can independently detect, analyze, and transmit signals in real time.
According to Rafael, STORM SHIELD operates across a wide frequency range, allowing it to rapidly react to different enemy systems and potentially improve mission survivability.
Its 360-degree spatial awareness also enables coverage regardless of the drone’s orientation or flight maneuvering.
Built With Proven Tech
At the core of STORM SHIELD is an active electronically scanned array transmitter paired with a digital system capable of capturing hostile radar signals and transmitting spoofed responses.
Rafael said the underlying technologies are already used in operational electronic warfare systems and have now been miniaturized to meet the size, weight, and cost requirements of unmanned platforms.
They have instead been miniaturized for STORM SHIELD to meet size and cost demands of unmanned systems.
The company added that the system is fully programmable for different mission profiles, while its modular design allows integration across multiple drone types.
“STORM SHIELD leverages Rafael’s in-service electronic warfare technologies, providing operators with a solution whose underlying performance is already validated in operational conditions,” Rafael stated.
