Rooster: The NATO-approved hybrid drone giving forces an edge in GPS-denied and confined zones
July 9, 2025
Modern warfare often means conflicts erupt within urban areas, subterranean tunnels, and GPS-denied battle zones. In these situations, acquiring real-time intelligence is both a challenge and a necessity.
Robotican’s Rooster, a hybrid drone system from Israel, is redefining what is possible in tactical reconnaissance, even in these harsh environments.
The company recently revealed that these drones have now entered active service with European special operations forces, indicating the system has moved beyond trials to front-line service.
The compact, dual-capability system is designed for the unique intelligence challenges of GPS-denied and confined environments.
A drone that flies and rolls
What sets the Rooster apart is its hybrid architecture; it’s both an aerial drone (UAV) and a ground robot (UGV), combining the agility of flight with the endurance and stealth of ground mobility.
However, the dual-mode design also introduces complexity in control interfaces and endurance management, according to field users.
“At a time when military units must pivot quickly between missions and environments, this dual-mode design offers a tactical edge,” Hagai Balshai, CEO of Robotican tells Aerospace Global News.
In flight mode, the Rooster can bypass obstacles and reach elevated or collapsed zones. When on the ground, it operates almost silently, manoeuvring through narrow corridors, underground tunnels, and debris-laden ruins-areas often too risky or inaccessible for troops or conventional surveillance drones.
“The Rooster was developed as a strategic response to the growing need for precise intelligence in challenging environments where access is limited and situational awareness is critical,” Balshai says.
The drone has been used to survey tunnel systems and collapsed buildings prior to infantry entry, “reducing risk and enhancing mission planning,” Balshai adds.
Eyes and ears where it matters most
The Rooster’s capability stack reads like a special operations wishlist: a day/night IR-sensitive camera, visible and infrared illuminators, plus interchangeable payloads like thermal imagers, radiation detectors, and oxygen sensors.
The drone supports up to 90 minutes of continuous operation and can remain in standby for up to five hours.
Its protective cage isn’t just for crash safety. It enables a unique rolling function that maximises endurance and supports precision navigation on the ground. Crucially, the system operates without GPS, relying on inertial sensors and advanced autonomous navigation, making it a valuable asset in signal-denied zones.
“In a collapsed building, enemy-held tunnel, or a jammed urban theatre, traditional GPS-reliant drones fall short,” says Mandy Rosenzwieg, Vice President, Sales and Business Development at Robotican. “The Rooster thrives there.”
Now a NATO-approved drone
The Rooster has been officially registered with NATO, indicating it meets NATO standards and is approved for use by alliance members.
It has already seen adoption by Israel’s Ministry of Defence and Home Front Command. Now, with its NATO registration, it could become an integral tool for allied forces across the globe.
Its MESH communication system allows multiple Rooster units to work in tandem without external connectivity, sharing data in real time and building a live operational picture that helps reconnaissance teams, HAZMAT units, or search-and-rescue operators.
“As modern warfare moves into smaller, tighter, and darker spaces, the demand for precise, adaptable, and autonomous systems grows,” Rosenzwieg adds.
With growing interest from NATO-aligned forces and domestic security units, Rooster is one of several hybrid systems now being tested in the field to meet the demands of increasingly complex, cluttered operational environments.
