The Orbiter 4, a compact, tactical UAS that can perform long-range, maritime patrol missions with an endurance of 24 hours is a product of the Aeronautics Group, a leading provider for the defense and HLS industries of complete turnkey solutions based on unmanned systems platforms, payloads, and communications. It’s a state-of-the-art multi-mission vehicle with an unmatched carrier, mission, and endurance capabilities. With its lightest, most adaptable, most sophisticated covert platform available today, the Orbiter 4 Small Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems (STUAS) enables top mission performance for both land and maritime operations. The ability to carry and operate multiple payloads simultaneously gives it an extra edge. Its high-efficiency EO/IR and MPR [Maritime Patrol Radar] payloads are not only the right fit for maritime monitoring and surveillance but are also perfect for protecting offshore energy installations/gas and oil rigs, search and rescue, and ‘illegal activity tracking’ according to the company.
Aeronautics continues to evolve its Orbiter product line of STUAS, giving top mission performance with the lightest, most adaptable, and sophisticated covert platform available today, with the Orbiter 4 already witnessing integration into the operating environment of naval vessels while meeting their operational requirements. Their systems are based on decades of technological and operational expertise and are backed by constant research and development. They were able to address the increased need for systems that are simple to install, operate, and maintain, and allow soldiers autonomy, owing to their in-house capacity as a UAS integrator.
“There is a growing need today for tactical drones capable of carrying out ISTAR missions in challenging marine environments,” said Matan Perry, Vice President of Marketing & Sales at Aeronautics. “As pioneers in the field of STUAS, we are proud to be able to provide a solution that has been adapted to meet these needs. Having been specifically tailored in this way, we believe it to be the best possible solution to meet all the requirements of the navy.” Aeronautics and its subsidiaries, in collaboration with Rafael, offer a broad range of technologies and capabilities for land and marine border defense. To maintain National Security, they provide multi-layered protection systems that are cutting-edge.
FEATURES
The Orbiter 4 STUAS is a multi-mission tactical UAS with variable payloads, optional BVLOS operation, and exceptional endurance in all weather situations. The Orbiter 4 STUAS is based on the effective system architecture of the Orbiter 3 STUAS, which is in use by many customers around the world and has accumulated extensive operational experience with its sophisticated avionics, communications, ground control features, and applications. It also retains the combat-proven Orbiter UAS family’s legacy capabilities. The system can carry and operate on many payloads at the same time, thus enhancing its ISTAR capabilities. The aircraft is runway-free and can take off and land on any type of vessel and satisfies all operating demands. It is simple to use, has a tiny logistical footprint, and a tiny crew of no more than three personnel. With a maximum takeoff weight of 50 kg and a flying attitude of up to 18,000 feet, the Orbiter 4 has a potential endurance of more than 24 hours. In a nutshell, the Orbiter 4 is much more competent than other tactical platforms in operation today by a long shot.
It also includes intelligence capabilities often reserved for big UAVs on a lightweight, tactical, and stealthy platform thanks to Aeronautics’ sophisticated technology. Orbiter 4 brings to the table superior performance capabilities, operational flexibility, and cost-effectiveness in a small tactical UAS that is exceptional in its category, thanks to access to modern image processing capabilities, an automatic takeoff and recovery system, and the ability to navigate with or without GPS/datalink.
Aeronautics may deploy sophisticated Rafael communication systems, including U-STAMP and T-STAMP-XR EO/IR sensors, on UAVs such as the Orbiter 4 with a payload of up to 12kg in the future. According to Aeronautics, it has already been fully integrated into the operational environment of naval ships and fits the criteria of navy operations.
APPLICATIONS
The main applications of Orbiter 4 include the following:
- Land and maritime ISTAR.
- Target acquisition for precision-guided weapons.
- Artillery fire management and BDA.
- Communications intelligence (COMINT)
- Electronic intelligence (ELINT)
- Electronic warfare (EW)
- Communications relay
- Border patrol and reconnaissance
- ISR envelop for strategic facilities security
- Search and rescue, and emergency response
The Orbiter 4’s high-performance EO/IR and MPR payloads are also ideal for gas and oil rigs protection and illegal activity tracking.
In terms of Maritime operations, it can also fulfill the following:
- Deep-sea and coastal reconnaissance.
- Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) security.
- Ship self-defense
- Offshore facilities security.
- Gunfire direction and BDA.
- Target acquisition for precision-guided weapons
- Ready for use from any type of vessel
As there is a growing need for tactical drones capable of carrying out ISTAR missions in challenging marine environments, the Orbiter 4 aims to tackle the same with the most efficiency possible.
WRITTEN BY: GOWRI HIREMATH, WORDSMITH, JMA
Sources:
https://aeronautics-sys.com/home-page/page-systems/page-systems-orbiter-4
https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/uv-online/orbiter-4-finds-maritime-surveillance-and-patrol-u