Space-based ISR (Photo: IAI)

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) launched the Dror-1 communications satellite on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and entered the geostationary orbit in July. It demonstrates intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) functions by offering high-capacity and jam-resistant links for swift and accurate intelligence transmission.

Space-based ISR

Maritime display

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	During the UNITAS naval exercise in October, the V-BAT vertical-takeoff unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) supported the US Navy&rsquo;s ISR by facilitating aerial surveillance from ships. The UAV can track maritime traffic, detect threats, and transfer real-time intelligence data.</div>


Ukraine sharpens precision (Photo: Reuters)

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	Ukraine launched an indigenous RAM ІІ precision-guided loitering munition UAV, to combat Russia&rsquo;s attack in Kharkiv in 2025. It merges the functions of an ISR platform and a strike weapon.</div>


Ukraine sharpens precision

Australia’s airborne warfare (Photo: Australia MOD)

Australia's airborne warfare (Photo: Australia MOD)

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	Australia received its maiden MC-55A Peregrine, a modified version of the Gulfstream G550 business jet specialising in airborne ISR and electronic warfare operations in January. The aircraft can gather signals intelligence (SIGINT), detect electronic emissions, and relay data.</div>


Australia’s airborne warfare

The US intelligence mission (Photo: LOCKHEED)

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	The RQ-170 Sentinel stealth drones were used during the US mission targeting former Venezuelan President Nicol&aacute;s Maduro in February, according to media reports. The RQ-170 can accurately gather imagery intelligence and electronic signals, regulate communications networks, and deliver real-time surveillance information.</div>


The US intelligence mission

Underwater surveillance (Photo: IAI)

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	The BlueWhale autonomous underwater vehicle, designated for covert naval ISR operations, was delivered to the German Navy in February. Bolstered with sonar arrays, electro-optical sensors, and electronic intelligence payloads, it enables continuous surveillance of maritime spaces.</div>


Underwater surveillance

Helicopter-drone team (Photo: Airbus)

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	European aerospace firm Airbus tested its HTeaming manned-unmanned ISR system in February, which facilitates a helicopter to deploy drones for live reconnaissance and search operations, transmitting real imagery and battlefield information to the aircraft.</div>


Helicopter-drone team

Electronic warfare drones (Photo: AIRO Group)

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	The US-based firm AIRO Group completed the manufacturing of the maiden US-developed RQ‑35 ISR drones in Phoenix, Arizona, in December.&nbsp; They are suitable for GPS‑denied and electronic warfare spaces, as they offer continuous ISR functions with the least operator workload.</div>


Electronic warfare drones

Japan eyes strategic ISR (Photo: IAI)

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	The Japanese military is planning to buy the IAI-produced Heron-2 medium -altitude, long-endurance drones designated for strategic ISR, according to media reports. It has 45-hour endurance at 35,000 feet above sea-level, facilitating deep-penetration all-weather surveillance.</div>


Japan eyes strategic ISR

Ground vehicle (Photo: ARX Robotic)

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	The Gereon RCS Robot, a modular unmanned ground vehicle manufactured by German firm ARX Robotic, was showcased &shy;&shy;&shy;&shy;in Oberding, Germany, last year. It specialises in battlefield reconnaissance, surveillance, and tactical missions, making it a highly useful ISR platform.</div>
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Ground vehicle

Israel’s unprecedented Oron (Photo: IAI)

Israel's unprecedented Oron (Photo: IAI)

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	Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) was granted the Israel Defense Prize in September, for manufacturing three special mission aircraft for defence forces including IAI Oron, an artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled jet with unparalleled, wide-area, multi-sensor ISR powers, automatic target tracking, and battlefield mapping.</div>


Israel’s unprecedented Oron

Boost for VAMPIRE (Photo: L3HARRIS)

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	The VAMPIRE counter-drone system has been upgraded with the latest electronic warfare and precision-engagement, which was demonstrated by L3Harris in Poland in February. It merges ISR and strike functions to swiftly combat targets in mobile ground or naval operations.</div>


Boost for VAMPIRE

Poland gets tactical edge (Photo: Reuters)

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	Poland&rsquo;s indigenously built PGZ-19RA Orlik (lesser spotted eagle) UAV is showcased during an open trial in Zielonka in February. The UAV is a tactical, short-range ISR platform that enables real-time, accurate information to land forces.</div>


Poland gets tactical edge

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The latest military weapons from around the world

Power Arcade: ISR weapons and platforms

Written By

Jaisal Kaur