Israel’s new $1B Oron aircraft reshapes intelligence with AI-driven tech
August 29, 2025
Since 2023, Israel has relied heavily on its sole Oron multi-mission intelligence-gathering aircraft. Israel claims this aircraft grants it capabilities few, if any, countries possess other than the United States.
Israel pressed its only Oron aircraft into service
In 2023, as Israel went to war in Gaza following the October 7 attacks, the new Oron intelligence aircraft was pressed into service early. In 2023, Forbes said it “may be the planet’s most advanced ISR aircraft.”
The Israeli Defense Force had received the aircraft in 2021, but it wasn’t meant to be ready for operational service until 2024. Since then, it has reportedly been flying practically nonstop as Israel has found itself in multiple conflicts.
Oron has been used over Lebanon as Israel took on Hezbollah, and it played an important role in Operation Iron Swords as Israel launched devastating air raids on Iran, rapidly securing air dominance over much of the country. The success of the operation encouraged the US to take part in Operation Midnight Hammer against Iran’s deep underground nuclear facilities.
The aircraft is set to receive the Israel Defense Prize in recognition of its outstanding operational achievement.
The Oron as a technological powerhouse
It is claimed that the Oron represents a “technological powerhouse” possessed by only a handful of nations, if any, besides the United States. The conversion process for the Oron took place in the US, but the systems and technology are Israeli. It is a unique aircraft only possessed by Israel.
The aircraft offers AI-driven data analysis, allowing planners to handle massive amounts of information and generate outputs in real time. The Oron has been described as a “flying command-and-control unit.” It has seating onboard for eight intelligence officers.
The aircraft was developed by the cooperation of the MAFAT, the Israel Aerospace Industries, and the Israeli Defense Force. According to the Jerusalem Post, the price tag for the aircraft is estimated to be $1 billion.
A Gulfstream G550 “Nachshon Oron” Signal-Intelligence Aircraft attached to the 122nd “Nachson” Squadron of the Israeli Air Force is also Airborne off the Coast of Central Israel and has been for roughly 4 Hours, she is likely Collecting Intelligence to Aid the Ground Operations… pic.twitter.com/ekRq5vg2Yf
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) October 10, 2023
Writing in 2021, The War Zone said it wasn’t clear if the Oron is intended to supplement or eventually replace some of Israel’s existing three Shavit (signals intelligence) and two Eitam (airborne early warning and control) aircraft.
All of these special mission aircraft are flown by the Israel Air Force’s 122 Squadron. They are also based on the Gulfstream 500/550 business jet.
USAF’s Counter-C5ISRT counterpart based on Gulfstream G550
The exact roles of the Oron intelligence-gathering aircraft are unclear, and some of its capabilities have not been disclosed. Outwardly, it resembles the new US Air Force L3Harris EA-37B Compass Call that is now replacing the aging EC-130H Compass Call based on the C-130 Hercules airlifter.
Compass Call aircraft are tasked with Counter-Command, Control, Computers, Communications, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Targeting (Counter-C5ISRT) missions.
Both the Oron and the EA-37B are based on the Gulfstream G550 business jet. It’s unclear if Oron’s roles overlap at all with the E-7A Wedgetail radar airplane or the RC-135W Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft. Israel Hayom reported that the Oron integrates several capabilities into a single aircraft and is able to scan vast areas, generating situational awareness for decision-makers.
The US has ordered ten examples of the EA-37B, of which around five have been delivered. Italy is so far the only export customer and has placed an order for two. Israel reportedly only has a single Oron in service, but has another on order.
