Highly Capable Long-Endurance Platform

At Ausa in Washington this week Aeronautics will present its newest tactical unmanned systems, including the ORBITER 4, a “highly capable, long-endurance platform” that provides a considerable step forward for the ORBITER family.

Weighing in at 50kg and with an endurance in the order of 22-24hrs, ORBITER 4 is an advanced multi-mission platform, the company claims. The UAS features advanced capabilities including: the ability to carry and operate two payloads simultaneously; endurance of up to 24 hours; use of satellite communication; tactical versatility (no need for a landing strip; a maritime patrol radar; a cellular interception sensor that is fully operational from take-off throughout the mission until landing under GPS-denied conditions; synthetic aperture radar; and Controp’s advanced XR electro-optic payload.

Also on show will be the ORBITER 3, a small tactical UAS for covert missions which has already amassed over 125,000 operational hours, and PEGASUS 120, a multi-mission vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) UAS designed for defence and security missions.

Having completed the acquisition of California-based Chassis Plans as recently as June, Aeronautics will use AUSA to promote the command and control capabilities of its newest US subsidiary. The company’s line of rugged computers and LCD displays for military applications and a series of advanced sensor payloads, including small form factor highly capable signals intelligence systems, will be prominently showcased.