Aeronautics to unveil its UAS Orbiter 3 at UNVEX S&D

The Israeli Aeronautics group, a manufacturer of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), will attend, along with its Spanish partner Aicox Soluciones, the upcoming summit on UAS for defense and security, UNVEX S&D.

The event, which brings together exhibits, a wide-ranging roundtable program and flight demonstrations, was inaugurated on Tuesday, May 29, at the brand-new congress hall in the northwestern Spanish city of León.

Aeronautics, which specializes in the development of solutions for satellite communications (SATCOM), will present its UAS and integral defense solutions. The company’s UAS Orbiter fleet has already accumulated hundreds of thousands of flight hours in 52 countries.

Orbiter 3

The Orbiter 3 is a small-sized tactical UAS, with a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 50 kilograms (110 pounds). It has been designed for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions. It can carry loads of up to 5 kilograms (11 pounds) and, in its latest version, the system is equipped with a digital data connection. It possesses seven hours of flight autonomy and its operational range is 150 kilometers (93.2 miles).

The manufacturer underscored that this completely autonomous system can be mounted on a vehicle and is capable of performing operations both in static mode and while in motion.

“It is adequate for terrestrial and maritime environments, and requires a very small logistics footprint,” the company said.

It also has an electric feed system for “stealth operations.”

At the start of the year, the Spanish Army evaluated the Orbiter 3 within the framework of the Rapaz program of the Defense Ministry’s Office of Armament and Material (DGAM).

SATCOM technology

Aeronautics will also showcase at UNVEX S&D its developments in SATCOM technology for UAS in X band (7/8 GHz). The company said it had improved communication between the aircraft and its ground control center, thus achieving a more robust connection, especially in adverse conditions. The system improves the interoperability of battlefield maneuvers, complying with military standards and meeting MIL-STD EMI (military standard electromagnetic interference) standards and environmental standards for Arinc (aeronautical radio).