New Lightweight EW Payload Enables Passive RF Detection

At the 2025 Paris Air Show, Thales introduced a compact electronic warfare payload designed to enhance electromagnetic dominance capabilities for all military units, not just specialised forces.

As modern conflicts increasingly rely on control of the electromagnetic spectrum, this miniaturised system provides frontline and support units with the tools to autonomously detect, geolocate and analyse hostile radiofrequency activity.

The solution reflects a strategic shift in operational doctrine, where electromagnetic superiority is now essential for every tactical formation to maintain situational awareness and ensure mission success. Developed under a proof-of-concept contract awarded by France’s Defence Innovation Agency (AID) following a competitive European selection process, the system was validated through extensive field testing by multiple users in diverse operational scenarios.

Christophe Groshenry, Vice President, Radio Communications Products at Thales, said, “The current geopolitical context and the emergence of new threats have underscored the expanding role of electronic warfare in the theatre of operations and demonstrated a growing need for all combat units to have direct access to these crucial capabilities. Today we are able to offer a unique new solution that is discreet and easy to use by non-specialised units to enable deployed forces to gain and maintain information superiority in the field. The new solution demonstrates Thales’s capacity for innovation and the ability of our development teams to respond extremely quickly to new operational requirements.”

Weighing under 5 kilograms and requiring less than 40 watts of power, the payload is tailored for deployment on lightweight drones. It supports flexible integration onto both free-flying and tethered unmanned platforms, enabling persistent surveillance without emitting detectable signals. This passive operation mode allows the system to identify and locate radio sources tens of kilometres away, offering a critical tactical edge in electronically contested environments.