RA-01 Is Israel’s Deadly Weapon Against Iran: The Drone That Remains Invisible Explained

Last Updated:March 02, 2026, 19:10 IST

RA-01 Israel’s Deadly Weapon Against Iran: Drone is capable of taking long routes to avoid enemy air defences & can launch standoff cruise missiles from outside adversary airspace

Among the weapons used by Israel in its offensive against Iran is the RA-01. The RA-01 is a highly classified Israeli long-range stealth drone, the existence of which was first brought to light by a leak of U.S. intelligence documents in late October 2024.

How powerful and dangerous is the drone? News18 explains.

Iran uses RA-01 against Iran

Reports indicate the drone has been used for “precise monitoring" of Iranian commanders and senior leaders. Unverified footage purportedly shows the RA-01 operating in daylight directly over Tehran.

During these operations, it has assisted in strikes against nuclear-related infrastructure, missile batteries and surface-to-air missile (SAM) installations, high-value command and control nodes.

During the ongoing Operation Epic Fury in March 2026, the RA-01 continues to provide situational awareness and strike capabilities, working alongside F-35I “Adir" jets to target ballistic missile infrastructure and IRGC-operated air defense systems.

What is RA-01?

It is described as a large, flying-wing stealth UAV, bearing a resemblance to the U.S. RQ-170 Sentinel or the Lockheed Martin RQ-180. While some sources initially speculated it was jet-powered, reports suggest it may use a turboprop engine to prioritise long endurance and range over speed.

The drone is designed for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) and covert strike missions. It is capable of taking long, circuitous routes to avoid enemy air defenses and can launch miniature standoff cruise missiles, such as the Wind Demon, while remaining outside adversary airspace.

Leaked documents and satellite imagery indicate the RA-01 operates from a restricted, high-security area at the Ramon Airbase in the Negev Desert. Facility expansions for the program were reportedly completed by early 2026.

The RA-01 provides Israel with a unique capability to conduct deep-penetration missions, specifically targeting high-value assets in regions like Iran. It was reportedly operationally deployed in late 2024 and played a significant role in suppressing air defences during regional conflicts in 2025.

Primary munitions: The Wind Demon

The RA-01’s internal weapons bay is built to carry a “two-digit quantity" of miniature standoff cruise missiles, most notably the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) Wind Demon. These missiles have a range exceeding 200 km (some estimates suggest up to 500 km) and a precision accuracy (CEP) of just 1 metre. They use low-altitude “terrain masking" (flying through valleys) and low-signature electric motors to evade radar and thermal detection.

Operators can toggle between “fast" and “slow" speed profiles to maximise surprise or conduct detailed target assessment via real-time video transmission.

The warhead (20+ kg) is modular, allowing for blast, fragmentation, or penetration effects depending on whether the target is a radar installation or a soft-skinned vehicle.

RA-01 in recent times

The RA-01 was reportedly first used operationally in late October 2024 for covert missions against Iran.

During Operation Rising Lion in June 2025, the RA-01 played a “crucial role" in suppressing Iranian air defenses. It utilised its stealth to fly circuitous routes—reportedly even over the Caspian Sea—to launch saturation attacks that overwhelmed defensive systems protecting high-value targets in Tehran.

The drone’s ability to remain “invisible" has had a documented psychological impact, appearing unexpectedly in footage over regions like the Golan Heights and reportedly over Tehran during daylight operations.

With Agency Inputs

News explainers RA-01 Is Israel’s Deadly Weapon Against Iran: The Drone That Remains Invisible Explained

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