The IPERION / ΥΠΕΡΙΩΝ system, developed by the Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI), is an advanced Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS), specifically designed to detect, recognize, and neutralize threats posed by drone swarms and mass attacks of Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs).
The system was showcased for the first time in its physical form during the DEFEA 2025 exhibition, where it attracted considerable interest due to both its potential capabilities and its adaptability to naval applications.
A Response to Modern Electronic Warfare Threats
IPERION is part of the new generation of Electronic Warfare (EW) requirements, where threats from low-cost drones and unmanned naval USVs are becoming increasingly frequent. This trend has been highlighted in recent conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine and the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.
Design and Adaptability
The system is lightweight, enabling mast-top installation on ships. This makes it suitable not only for large warships such as frigates but also for smaller platforms, including patrol vessels.
Its architecture is based on passive detection, which minimizes the electromagnetic signature of the system and makes it virtually invisible to enemy sensors.
Key Features and Capabilities
- Passive Electromagnetic Detection:
Uses ESM (Electronic Support Measures), ELINT (Electronic Intelligence), and SIGINT (Signals Intelligence) technologies to passively detect electromagnetic emissions from drones. - 360° Coverage Without Moving Parts:
Provides continuous passive detection and tracking with no need for moving mechanical components, ensuring full 360° coverage. This enables simultaneous monitoring of multiple targets from every direction. - Detection and Recognition Range:
Estimated at 10 kilometers for NATO Class 1 and Class 2 drones (small and medium UAVs/UAS, such as light drones). The passive mode allows early warning, giving valuable reaction time for crews and other defensive systems. - Integrated Jammer:
Features a broadband jammer operating across the 0.3–6 GHz frequency range, designed to interrupt the communication between drones and their control or navigation networks. - Disruption of Satellite Navigation:
Neutralizes the data links of hostile drones by interfering with all major satellite navigation systems: GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou. - Quadripole Autonomous Jammer:
The four-channel jammer functions autonomously and simultaneously, neutralizing drone swarms from multiple directions without requiring manual operator targeting or directional adjustment.
