Aeronautics Defense Orbiter
| Orbiter | |
|---|---|
| File:Aeronautics Orbiter UAV.jpg The Aeronautics Orbiter UAV in flight | |
| General information | |
| Type | Reconnaissance UAV |
| National origin | Israel |
| Manufacturer | Aeronautics Defense Systems |
The Orbiter Mini UAV System is an Israeli compact and lightweight unmanned aerial vehicle designed for use in military and security applications. It has been used in the Middle East since it was first developed. The system is used for 'Over The Hill' reconnaissance missions, Low Intensity Conflicts and Urban warfare operations as well as any close range ISTAR mission. It is manufactured by the Israeli company Aeronautics Defense Systems.[1]
Aeronautics announced in May 2015 the Orbiter 1K "Kingfisher" version with a fuselage adapted to carry a 2 kg (4.4 lb) explosive payload, turning it into a loitering munition. It can be controlled by an operator, or is capable of being given a waypoint and independently scanning the area to detect and destroy a stationary or moving target. If a target is not detected, the Orbiter 1K can return to base and land for reuse.[2] The Orbiter 1K can fly for 2–3 hours carrying an electro-optical/infrared sensor with a unique warhead that, due to its low acoustic signature, “is not detected until two seconds before it starts its kill dive”. Aeronautics announced the armed loitering UAV achieved operational status in August 2016.[3]
Accidents and incidents
[edit | edit source]According to news reports, an Orbiter Mini UAV, operated by the Mexican Federal Government, likely the Federal Police, malfunctioned on December 17, 2010. During a surveillance operation, it crossed the border into US airspace and crashed in El Paso, Texas.[4] No property was damaged, as the UAV apparently deployed a parachute during its descent. It was reported to and retrieved by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Operational history
[edit | edit source]The Orbiter 1k was employed by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.[5] In 2017, Israeli company Aeronautics Limited was hit with fraud charges and violation of Israel's export control laws. Israeli members of the company were found to have “demonstrated” their suicide drone with an actual strike on Armenians in the region.[6][7] Critics maintained that Israeli supplying regimes cheap drones like these were fueling the conflict in Armenia and Azerbaijan.[8][9]
See also
[edit | edit source]Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
[edit | edit source]Operators
[edit | edit source]- File:Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Azerbaijan - Azerbaijani Land Forces - Orbiter-3 - has a local plant for manufacturing[10]
- File:Flag of Croatia.svg Croatia - Croatian Army - The latest variant Orbiter 3b - 6
- File:Flag of Finland.svg Finland - Finnish Army - two sets delivered - Orbiter-2B[11]
- File:Flag of Greece.svg Greece - Hellenic Army - "Large numbers" were procured in April 2023 for use with the SPIKE-NLOS systems[12]
- File:Flag of Indonesia.svg Indonesia - Paskhas - Orbiter-2B [13]
- File:Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland - Irish Army - Orbiter-2B[14]
- File:Flag of Israel.svg Israel - Israeli Sea Corps[15]
- File:Flag of Mexico.svg Mexico - Mexican Federal Police[16][17] PEMEX - Orbiter-2B[18]
- File:Flag of Peru.svg Peru - Peruvian Army
- File:Flag of Poland.svg Poland - Polish Land Forces and Polish Special Forces - 11 sets delivered - Orbiter-2B[19]
- File:Flag of Serbia.svg Serbia - Serbian Army - 10 sets
- File:Flag of Singapore.svg Singapore - Republic of Singapore Air Force - Orbiter-4 [20]
- File:Flag of South Africa.svg South Africa - South African National Defence Force
- File:Flag of Spain.svg Spain - Ministry of Defence - Orbiter-3.[21]
- File:Flag of Thailand.svg Thailand - Royal Thai Navy
- File:Flag of Turkmenistan.svg Turkmenistan - Orbiter 2B[22]
- File:Flag of the United States (23px).png United States - Orbiter-4
- File:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom - 3 on order[15]
- File:Flag of Ukraine.svg Ukraine - Witnessed in the Ukrainian skies on November 17, 2022[15]
- File:Flag of Vietnam.svg Vietnam
- Vietnam People's Ground Force - Orbiter 2 - Orbiter 3[23]
- Vietnam People's Navy - Orbiter 2[24]
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References
[edit | edit source]- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Aeronautics' new Orbiter 1K Kingfisher MUAS to be unveiled at Paris Air Show 2015 - Airrecognition.com, 28 May 2015
- ^ Loitering Orbiter 1K on target for first delivery - Flightglobal.com, 2 August 2016
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External links
[edit | edit source]Error creating thumbnail: File missing Media related to Lua error in Module:Commons_link at line 62: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). at Wikimedia Commons
