The ELLYON is a next-generation multi-mission aircraft that combines electronic attack (EA) with advanced intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) capabilities.
The aircraft is designed to support stand-off operations from hundreds of kilometres, reducing platform exposure while detecting, collecting and classifying intelligence and conducting electronic countermeasures, disruption and EA against a range of battlespace systems.
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Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) presented the ELLYON aircraft in July 2026.
ELLYON design and features
The ELLYON aircraft is based on the Bombardier Global 6500, selected to provide the speed, altitude, range and turnaround needed to exploit the aircraft’s sensors and effectors.
The long-range aircraft can undertake stand-off missions and provides an EA fit covering the full-spectrum frequency. It can address multiple jamming tasks and offers very high radio frequency sensitivity with high effective radiated power (ERP).
The aircraft architecture is open to support upgrades and the integration of additional capabilities, and the aircraft is described as manned-unmanned teaming ready. A self-protection suite is included, bringing together threat detection, warning, electronic countermeasures and protection functions.
The system is also designed to be platform-agnostic and capable of integration on multiple types of large business jet. The broader mission set brings together signals intelligence (SIGINT), long-range synthetic aperture radar and ground moving target indication, electro-optical sensing and wide-band satellite communications (SATCOM) in a single airborne configuration.
An AI-enabled mission management system fuses onboard sensor data and passes intelligence outputs in real time via SATCOM to command centres, ground control stations and other airborne assets.
Sensors and other electronic systems
The core ISTAR configuration is built around a multi-mode Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar from IAI ELTA that is described as operationally proven. The radar provides synthetic aperture radar modes for strip and spot imaging, ground moving target indication, air-to-sea coverage including inverse synthetic aperture radar, and air-to-air modes, supporting persistent surveillance and reconnaissance from stand-off ranges.
The electronic attack suite includes Global Navigation Satellite System jamming, communications jamming and an AESA radar jammer.
The aircraft also carries IAI ELTA electronic intelligence and communications intelligence as part of a multi-band, high-accuracy SIGINT suite, supporting real-time generation of an Electronic Order of Battle and producing target data for onboard effectors.
Target classification is supported by a multispectral long-range electro-optical and infrared payload, with long range oblique photography also included.
Security systems
A secure communications fit is included with high frequency, very high frequency and ultra-high frequency radios, a tactical datalink, and wideband line of sight (LOS) and SATCOM links.
For contested operations, the aircraft includes a combat-proven self-protection suite incorporating a Missile Approach Warning System, a Radar Warning Receiver, Directed Infrared Countermeasures, and chaff and flare dispensers.
ELLYON C4SIR network
The ELLYON command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) suite combines voice and data services over radios and datalinks using both LOS and SATCOM connectivity.
The aircraft’s mission activity is managed through an onboard multi-mission management system with four to six operator stations. Its highly automated mission management system applies AI and machine learning to detect, classify and prioritise threats, then supports engagement and suppression of multiple airborne and ground targets using high ERP effectors.
Ground support includes dedicated equipment for pre-flight mission planning and post-mission analysis, including automated imagery geo-referencing and geo-indexing, plus audio and video replay capability for mission review.
Mission capabilities
The platform is intended to support suppression of enemy air assets and air defences, including regional air defence tasks.
Within a single sortie, the platform can conduct both radar and communications jamming to generate coordinated effects against advanced threats and integrated air defence systems.
Alongside radar and communications jamming, it can develop electronic order of battle information, contribute to early threat detection, support command and control, provide battle damage assessment and assist with target generation.
