Rafael Unveils Advanced Defense Systems, Including Hypersonic Missile Interceptor
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems is exhibiting its new Sky Sonic system, designed to intercept hypersonic missiles, at the AUSA 2026 exhibition. The company is also showcasing other advanced defense technologies, including laser weapon systems, drone interceptors, and various SPIKE missile variants. Rafael's CEO highlighted the company's capability to produce these systems in large quantities to meet advanced threats and support extended combat operations.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Rafael is debuting its Sky Sonic system, designed to counter hypersonic missiles, at the AUSA 2026 exhibition.
- The company will also display its Iron Dome and David's Sling interceptor missiles, alongside laser defense systems.
- New SPIKE missile variants, including the SPIKE MCLU2 and SPIKE NLOS, will be featured for enhanced strike capabilities.
- Ground defense systems include the Samson RWS with active protection and the Iron Wasp drone interceptor.
- Rafael's CEO emphasized the company's readiness to produce advanced defense systems in large quantities for prolonged combat.
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems will showcase its new Sky Sonic system, designed to counter hypersonic missiles, for the first time at the AUSA 2026 exhibition. Alongside Sky Sonic, the company will display other components of its multi-layered air defense array, including the Tamir interceptor missile for the Iron Dome system and the Stunner interceptor missile for the David's Sling system.
For dealing with unmanned aerial vehicles, Rafael will present its high-power laser systems, Iron Beam and Lite Beam, intended for protecting ground forces. The company will also exhibit the Hunter Eagle and Light Hunter interceptors, which use a direct-hit method against targets.
In its SPIKE missile family, Rafael will introduce the SPIKE MCLU2, enabling the launch of precise SPIKE LR2 missiles from TOW launchers already in use by the U.S. Army without requiring changes to the gunner's interface. This integration enhances long-range and beyond-line-of-sight targeting capabilities. The SPIKE NLOS will be shown in its Mobile Long-Range Precision Strike Missile (MLRPSM) configuration, a mobile system for long-range precision strikes from armored vehicles, which has been integrated into U.S. Army AH-64E Apache helicopters and successfully fired during the RIMPAC 2026 exercise. Additionally, the L-SPIKE 4X, a fast loitering missile, will be displayed.
On the ground maneuver front, Rafael will feature a full-scale model of the Samson RWS All-in-One, a remote weapon station combining a 30mm cannon, a dual launcher for SPIKE LR2 missiles, and the operational "Wind Shield" active protection system. The Iron Wasp, a miniaturized drone interceptor providing armored vehicles with protection against FPV drones, will also be presented.
In the aerial domain, Rafael will exhibit sensors and observation systems for UAVs, including the MicroLite electro-optical and infrared system, known for its small size, light weight, and low power consumption, which scans wide areas for continuous surveillance. The Sigma intelligence system, which integrates and analyzes data from multiple RF sensors to detect enemy activity and build a real-time battlefield picture, will also be shown.
Yoav Turgeman, CEO of Rafael, stated that the company is bringing a wide range of proven operational systems to AUSA 2026, covering air and missile defense, precision attack, ground maneuver, and intelligence, alongside next-generation capabilities like Sky Sonic. He emphasized Rafael's readiness to produce these systems in the required quantities to support prolonged combat, noting that they are designed to counter advanced threats.