New high-tech air defense suite integrates radar, electronic warfare, and AI interceptors on an armored 4×4 platform to counter rising drone threats.
By David Brummer
At the DEFEA 2025 defense expo in Athens, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems revealed its latest innovation in mobile air defense—a multi-layered counter-drone system mounted on the Plasan StormRider 4×4 tactical armored vehicle.
The system reflects growing urgency among military forces to counter the rising threat of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in modern conflict zones, such as Ukraine.
The system provides comprehensive, on-the-move protection for tactical units using a combination of soft-kill and hard-kill technologies.
Four corner-mounted radar sensors provide 360-degree surveillance, continuously feeding data to a central computer.
This data is processed and linked to an electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) turret for autonomous drone identification, tracking, and engagement.
For non-kinetic defense, the vehicle uses a sophisticated signals intelligence (SIGINT) suite capable of detecting and disrupting drone communications.
The system can jam signals or spoof the control link, rendering drones inoperable. It also pinpoints the location of the drone operator, information that can be used to target enemy forces directly with Rafael’s Spike missile.
If a physical strike is needed, the system deploys its hard-kill capabilities.
Rafael is ready for DEFEA 2025.
From tactical lasers to precision strike, from mobile air defense to deep-fire capabilities — these are mature systems, ready for deployment.What’s on display:
• Full-scale debut of Lite Beam on a 4×4 tactical vehicle
• Upgraded M113 APC with… pic.twitter.com/eCNUsnaC8S— Rafael Advanced Defense Systems (@RAFAELdefense) May 3, 2025
Chief among them is the M230 Bushmaster Chain Gun, a 30mm cannon that fires airburst munitions designed to destroy drones mid-flight.
These rounds explode at preset distances, maximizing the chance of neutralizing fast or swarming UAVs.
A standout feature is the inclusion of the Viper I interceptor drone, developed by SpearUAV.
The AI-guided, high-speed drone is launched from canisters on the vehicle and intercepts aerial threats with precision.
Its ability to vertically launch and engage evasive or high-speed targets makes it ideal for use against loitering munitions and suicide drones that conventional guns struggle to hit.
The timing of this system’s release highlights the shifting nature of warfare, as inexpensive, easily deployed drones pose serious threats even to heavily equipped forces.
The war in Ukraine has demonstrated the devastating potential of drones in surveillance, strike, and kamikaze roles.
Rafael’s counter-UAS suite answers this challenge with a modular, integrated defense platform tailored to the evolving battlefield.
By blending radar, electronic warfare, kinetic firepower, and AI-enabled interceptors into a single mobile system, it offers tactical units real-time protection from a diverse range of aerial threats.
