Scorpius scans the sky, intercepts and analyzes signals, and then fires microwave pulses that can disable or degrade enemy electronics.
By Hezy Laing
As the drone threat grows rapidly – nations are desperately looking for solutions. One of the best may be microwave weapons. And Israel is a leading developer.
Rafael’s Scorpius family has rapidly emerged as one of the world’s most advanced electromagnetic defense suites, representing a major leap in high‑power microwave and electronic‑attack technology.
First unveiled in 2021, Scorpius was introduced as the first system capable of simultaneously targeting multiple threats at different distances using narrowly focused electromagnetic beams, a capability highlighted by Israel Aerospace Industries when describing its ability to disrupt UAVs, ships, missiles, and radar systems without interfering with friendly forces.
Although Scorpius is often associated with Rafael’s broader directed‑energy portfolio, the system itself is produced by IAI’s ELTA division and designated ELL‑8256SB, representing a next‑generation approach to electronic warfare built around precision, power, and multi‑target engagement Wikipedia.
At its core, Scorpius scans the entire sky, intercepts and analyzes signals, and then fires targeted microwave pulses that can disable or degrade enemy electronics.
These pulses can disrupt fire‑control radars, search radars, synthetic‑aperture radar (SAR) systems, and airborne early‑warning sensors, giving operators the ability to blind or confuse enemy platforms before they can launch an attack.
Military analysts have noted that depending on power, frequency, and distance, Scorpius’s microwave effects can range from temporary disruption to complete burnout of electronic circuits, making it a potent counter to drones, missiles, and aircraft that rely on sensitive onboard electronics.
The need for systems like Scorpius has grown sharply as modern battlefields become saturated with inexpensive drones, loitering munitions, and precision‑guided weapons.
Conflicts in recent years have shown how large volumes of low‑cost UAVs can overwhelm traditional air defenses.
IAI has emphasized that today’s threats include suicide drones, modified commercial quadcopters dropping explosives, stealthier unmanned systems delivering precision munitions, and long‑range missiles capable of striking with high accuracy.
Microwave‑based defenses offer a cost‑effective answer: they fire at the speed of light, have a negligible cost per shot, and can neutralize multiple targets without expending interceptors.
Rafael and IAI’s broader directed‑energy ecosystem includes more than 90 research centers, with 27 designated as national infrastructure hubs, underscoring Israel’s deep investment in electromagnetic warfare and air‑defense innovation.
In this context, Scorpius stands out as a battlefield necessity—an answer to the escalating electronic and drone threats shaping 21st‑century warfare.
