Continuing evolution of the Orbiter line and the Small Tactical UAS, Aeronautics have introduced the Orbiter 4 STUAS, an advanced multi-mission platform with extraordinary and versatile carrier, mission and endurance capabilities.
“Orbiter 4 STUAS delivers top mission performance with its lightest, most versatile and most advanced covert platform available today, for both land and maritime operations”. The UAV can simultaneously carry multiple payloads, extending its ISTAR capabilities. With its ease-of-use, low logistical footprint and small crew of 3 personnel, Orbiter 4, the runway-free aircraft suits all operational needs.
Orbiter 4 builds on the successful system design of the Orbiter 3 STUAS, with its advanced avionics, communications and ground control features and applications. The acclaimed legacy capabilities of the field-proven Orbiter UAS family remain. Measure for measure, Orbiter 4 will deliver the same capabilities as the tactical platforms operational today, but with better endurance, serviceability, operational flexibility and cost-effectiveness.
Recently, the Orbiter 4 unmanned aerial system has carried out a record-breaking 25 hour flight, setting a new endurance record for the company’s flagship platform.“The flight was performed at mission altitude carrying the T-stamp EO payload with laser capabilities”.
Manufactured by the Israeli drone company Aeronautics, the Orbiter 4 unmanned aerial system is the company’s most advanced tactical UAS, the compact, light-weight system being used by military and homeland security officials with an operating range of up to 150 km. The multi-mission UAS is a versatile and light platform and, with the capability to stay in the air for 25 hours, it extends its intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions.
According to the company, the UAS has six different autonomous flight modes and can be used for artillery fire management and bomb damage assessment (BDA), target acquisition for precision-guided weapons, communications intelligence (COMINT), electronic intelligence (ELINT) and electronic warfare (EW).
Operated by a team of three, the runway-free aircraft is highly portable and easily deployable, suiting all operational needs. With a low silhouette and silent flight mode, the advanced covert platform is available for both land and maritime operations and can be used in all weather conditions.
The platform can carry – and operate – two different payloads simultaneously, integrating an electro-optical payload with laser designator, SAR radar, MPR maritime radar or other advance payloads. In addition, the system has an open architecture that allows quick integration of new advanced sensors.
“This new achievement highlights our technological leadership in the tactical UAS segment,” stated Amos Matan, chief executive officer for Aeronautics Group. “The Orbiter 4 is a breakthrough system with an impressive roadmap, based on Rafael advance technology and payloads. We are committed to continue investing in developing the platform for the benefit of our customers and users, reaching more records and maintaining excellence.”