Field trials at the Tze’elim training base confirmed that the radars could detect drones at ranges of one to three kilometers, providing 10–15 seconds of warning—three times longer than infantry previously had.
By Hezy Laing
The Defense Ministry has signed a $7 million contract to supply the IDF with hundreds of AI‑native portable radar units, including systems produced by Magos Systems, to give frontline troops an early‑warning capability against incoming explosive UAVs.
The procurement accelerated after repeated drone attacks launched by Hezbollah have been responsible for severe harm, loss of life, and regional destabilization.
In 2025 alone, more than 250 explosive UAVs struck Israeli positions, many flying at altitudes below 100–150 meters, too low for traditional air‑defense radars to detect quickly.
The IDF determined that infantry units lacked reliable detection tools for low‑altitude explosive drones, which had become the most common threat along the northern border.
IDF Northern Command reported that soldiers often had less than five seconds of warning before impact, contributing to dozens of casualties and significant damage to infrastructure.
The new AI‑native radar units, including Magos Systems’ SR‑500 and SR‑250, weigh under 10 kilograms, operate for 8–12 hours on internal batteries, and can be mounted on tripods, vehicles, or observation posts.
They use active electronically scanned array (AESA) technology and AI‑driven threat‑classification algorithms capable of distinguishing birds, debris, and friendly drones from hostile explosive UAVs.
Field trials at the Tze’elim training base confirmed that the radars could detect drones at ranges of one to three kilometers, providing 10–15 seconds of warning—three times longer than infantry previously had.
The Defense Ministry began distributing the systems to the Golani Brigade, Paratroopers Brigade, Givati Brigade, and Nahal Brigade in early 2025, and by mid‑2026 more than 600 units had been deployed across the northern and Gaza fronts.
When a radar alert is triggered, soldiers receive an audible alarm and a visual cue on handheld tablets or helmet‑mounted displays, showing the drone’s direction, speed, and estimated time‑to‑impact.
The protocol requires immediate cover and concealment, activation of portable jammers, and preparation for counter‑UAV fire, typically using M240 machine guns, Negev light machine guns, or specialized anti‑drone rifles.
Platoon commanders must relay the radar track to battalion command, which integrates the data into the broader air‑defense picture shared with Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow batteries.
The deployment of these AI‑native radar units marks a major doctrinal shift, giving every combat platoon its own micro‑air‑defense capability and significantly increasing survivability against explosive drones.
