Rafael Unveils Hunter Eagle: A Warhead-Free, VTOL Kinetic Interceptor for Counter-UAS Missions
Israeli defense contractor Rafael Advanced Defense Systems has introduced the Hunter Eagle, a compact VTOL kinetic interceptor designed to neutralize low-altitude drone threats. Weighing between 5 and 10 kg, it uses an electro-optical seeker and a hit-to-kill mechanism — no warhead required — to minimize collateral damage. The system debuted at DSEI 2025, with its production version showcased at ILA Berlin 2026.
Highlights
- Rafael Advanced Defense Systems unveiled the Hunter Eagle counter-drone interceptor, a VTOL system weighing 5–10 kg with a body height of 0.4–0.5 metres.
- The Hunter Eagle uses a hit-to-kill mechanism with no warhead, minimizing collateral damage in engagements near urban areas or friendly forces.
- An integrated electro-optical seeker enables autonomous terminal guidance once the interceptor locks onto a target.
- The system can be deployed solo or in coordinated swarms, and is capable of engaging Group 1 through Group 3 drone threats.
- Hunter Eagle debuted at DSEI 2025 and its production version was showcased at ILA Berlin 2026.
Rafael Unveils Hunter Eagle: A Warhead-Free, VTOL Kinetic Interceptor for Counter-UAS Missions
Israeli defense contractor Rafael Advanced Defense Systems has unveiled the Hunter Eagle, a next-generation compact kinetic interceptor designed to counter the rapidly expanding threat posed by low-altitude drones on the modern battlefield, according to a report by The Jerusalem Post.
The system made its public debut at DSEI 2025 in the United Kingdom, with the production-ready version formally displayed at ILA Berlin 2026 — marking a further expansion of Rafael's multi-layered counter-UAS (C-UAS) portfolio.
Specifications and Design
The Hunter Eagle interceptor adopts a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drone configuration, standing approximately 0.4 to 0.5 metres tall and weighing between 5 and 10 kg. Its cylindrical airframe integrates an electro-optical (EO) seeker, while four electric motors and three-bladed propellers are mounted at the tips of its cruciform fins. The interceptor launches vertically from a four-legged ground-based launch unit, and once the seeker acquires its target, the system autonomously executes terminal guidance to engage the threat.
Warhead-Free Design Minimizes Collateral Damage
Unlike conventional interceptors or loitering munitions that carry explosive warheads, the Hunter Eagle relies entirely on a hit-to-kill mechanism, carrying no explosive payload. This design significantly reduces the risk of collateral damage — a growing operational priority as drone engagements increasingly take place near urban areas, critical infrastructure, and friendly forces.
Should an intercept attempt fail or be aborted, the Hunter Eagle can autonomously return to its launch point, land vertically, be re-prepared, and re-deployed — enhancing system reusability and logistical efficiency.
Solo or Swarm Deployment
The Hunter Eagle can operate in either single-interceptor mode or as part of a coordinated swarm to engage multiple simultaneous threats. The system is designed to counter Group 1 through Group 3 UAS, targeting a broad threat spectrum ranging from small quadcopters to larger fixed-wing drones — the latter frequently employed for reconnaissance, strike missions, and suicide attacks of the kind seen during the Lebanon conflict.
Image credit: Rafael
Original reporting: The Jerusalem Post
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