Israeli unmanned aerial system (UAS) manufacturer Aeronautics announced on 12 August 2024 that it has received “a significant contract with a European NATO member country to supply advanced Orbiter 3 UAS systems”, while declining to name the country concerned.
Aeronautics said the contract includes its “new-generation multi-platform system”, with the same “increasing significantly the customer’s existing fleet”.
The Orbiter 3 is a small tactical UAS applicable for both defence and homeland security applications. It features runway-independent operation, an endurance of up to six hours and, with a maximum take-off weight of 32 kg, the ability to carry a variety of payloads.
Asserting that the Orbiter 3 offers low life-cycle costs compared to similar systems and “combat-proven reliability, backed by thousands of flight hours”, Aeronautics stated in its press release that its “advanced image processing, small logistical footprint, and navigation capabilities in GPS-denied environments further enhance its operational flexibility”, adding that the system’s “ability to withstand harsh weather conditions ensures reliable performance across diverse scenarios”.
“This contract marks another important milestone with a long-standing customer,” Dan Slasky, CEO of Aeronautics, was quoted as saying. “The scalability of our system allows our partners to incrementally expand their capabilities over time, using the same proven infrastructure. This approach not only reduces costs and enables the most cutting-edge systems, but also streamlines operations for our customers.”
