TEL AVIV — Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has officially unveiled ELLYON, a new multi-mission aircraft that combines advanced electronic attack (EA) capabilities with intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) into a single airborne platform.
Presented in Tel Aviv on July 20, ELLYON is designed to provide military operators with one aircraft capable of conducting intelligence collection, electronic warfare, and real-time mission coordination. By combining capabilities that traditionally require multiple specialized aircraft, the platform is intended to shorten the intelligence-to-action cycle while supporting stand-off operations from hundreds of kilometers away, reducing exposure to hostile threats.
Integrated Intelligence and Mission System
ELLYON features an integrated suite of sensors and communication systems, including:
- Long-range Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) with Ground Moving Target Indication (GMTI)
- Signals Intelligence (SIGINT)
- Electro-optical and infrared sensors
- Wide-band satellite communications (SATCOM)
An AI-based mission management system processes data from these sensors, generates actionable intelligence, and rapidly shares it with command centers, ground control stations, and other aircraft operating in the mission area.
Electronic Attack Capabilities
The aircraft is designed to conduct electronic attack missions across the electromagnetic spectrum. According to IAI, it can perform radar jamming and communications jamming simultaneously during a single mission, enabling it to disrupt both airborne threats and ground-based integrated air defense systems.
ELLYON also includes a self-protection suite with automated threat detection, early warning systems, and electronic countermeasures to enhance survivability during operations.
Flexible Aircraft Integration
IAI developed ELLYON as a platform-agnostic system that can be integrated onto various large commercial business jet airframes based on customer requirements. The platform also incorporates technologies from IAI ELTA's existing airborne intelligence and electronic warfare programs, including sensor miniaturization, advanced algorithms, and AI-based software.
Statements from IAI
Boaz Levy, Chairman of the Board at IAI, said the company has long experience in developing intelligence aircraft and that ELLYON brings together intelligence collection, electronic attack, and AI-driven mission management in a single platform.
"IAI has been at the forefront of developing advanced intelligence aircraft, combining technological innovation and operational expertise. ELLYON continues this legacy by integrating advanced intelligence collection, Electronic Attack and AI-driven mission management into a single platform, providing a decisive operational advantage in evolving battlespace."
Dror Bar, CEO of ELTA Systems and Executive Vice President at IAI, said the aircraft combines stand-off operations with the ability to sense, understand, and influence the electromagnetic environment.
"ELLYON represents a technological leap forward, combining stand-off operations with the ability to sense, understand and shape the electromagnetic battlespace. ELLYON shortens intelligence-to-action cycles and enhances freedom of action in the most demanding operational environments."
ELLYON joins IAI ELTA's family of special-mission intelligence aircraft, which the company said have accumulated extensive operational experience supporting air defense and intelligence missions with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and international partners.
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