Rafael unveils Storm Shield to protect UAVs in contested environments

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems introduced Storm Shield, a lightweight electronic warfare (EW) suite tailored for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) operating in contested environments. The system was revealed at the AOC Electronic Warfare Conference in Helsinki, targeting the growing threat posed by advanced air-defense networks in anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) zones. Storm Shield addresses a critical gap in UAV survivability, as drones increasingly shoulder operational burdens but lack the self-protection measures standard in manned aircraft. Recent conflicts, such as Operation Roaring Lion (Epic Fury), demonstrated this vulnerability, with the U.S. losing 24 MQ-9 Reaper drones—valued at approximately $30 million each—and Israel losing over a dozen drones to Iranian systems. The system operates autonomously, continuously monitoring the electromagnetic spectrum to detect and analyze hostile emissions. It employs tailored deception techniques, 360-degree coverage, and AESA-based transmitters paired with Digital RF Memory (DRFM) technology, derived from Rafael’s proven airborne and naval EW platforms like Light Shield and Sky Shield. Its modular design ensures compatibility with various UAV classes, while programmable software allows mission-specific configurations. Storm Shield’s wide frequency coverage and direction-finding capabilities enhance situational awareness and self-protection, reducing operator workload. By enabling faster, autonomous threat responses, the system allows drones to maintain operational effectiveness without compromising mission continuity. The technology was miniaturized to meet UAV constraints on size, weight, and power, retaining the robustness of larger EW systems. Its autonomous operation minimizes human intervention, ensuring rapid countermeasures against evolving radar threats in dynamic missions.