Ellyon – The New IAI Special Mission Aircraft

In the recent war with Iran the special mission aircraft of the Israeli Air Force played a critical role in defensive and offensive missions. All these aircraft have been manufactured by Israeli Aerospace Industries (IAI). Now IAI has unveiled the most advanced addition to this family of special mission aircraft – the Ellyon. Ellyon is a next-generation multi-mission aircraft that integrates Electronic Attack (EA) and advanced Intelligence Surveillance Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) capabilities. Featuring full-spectrum frequency jamming and coverage, advanced intelligence gathering capabilities, SIGINT, long-range SAR/GMTI radar, electro-optical sensing, and wide-band satellite communications (SATCOM) into a unified “all-in-one” airborne platform.

Enabling stand-off operations from hundreds of kilometres while minimising platform exposure, Ellyon detects, collects, and classifies intelligence while simultaneously performing electronic countermeasures, disruption, and EA operations against a variety of systems in the battlespace. Its AI-based multi-mission management system processes information from onboard sensors, generates intelligence insights, and transmits them in real-time via satellite communications to command centres, ground control stations, and additional airborne platforms.

Ellyon is designed to be platform-agnostic and can be integrated onboard multiple large business jet platforms. Its EA suite enables full-spectrum operations against airborne and ground-based threats, delivering advanced radar and communications jamming capabilities across the electromagnetic spectrum.  Able to simultaneously execute both radar jamming and communications jamming within a single mission, Ellyon allows coordinated operational effects against advanced threats and integrated air defence systems. The aircraft’s self-protection suite incorporates advanced threat detection, warning, electronic countermeasures, and protection capabilities.

Boaz Levy, Chairman of the Board at IAI: “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 EVP at IAI: “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.”

According to IAI, the technologies integrated into Ellyon are operationally proven and represent IAI’s multi-disciplinary capabilities across the intelligence, EA, and airborne domains, including sensor miniaturization, advanced algorithms, and AI-based software applications. Ellyon joins IAI ELTA’s family of intelligence aircraft developed for the Israel Defence Forces and allies around the globe. These aircraft have accumulated extensive operational experience, supporting air defence, intelligence superiority and strategic operational capabilities.

Arie Egozi