Azerbaijan starts producing Aeronautics Orbiter 1K

Media reports in Azerbaijan have revealed that local firm Azad Systems has begun manufacturing the Aeronautics Orbiter 1K armed loitering UAV under licence with the local name ‘Zarba.’ The production facilities for the Orbiter 1K at Azad Systems were established in 2011 with assistance from Aeronautics.

The Orbiter 1K is Aeronautics first loitering weapon system, and is catapult-launched with endurance of 2-3 hours. It is equipped with a warhead and an electro-optical/infrared sensor for target identification and engagement. The Company claims that the UAV’s low acoustic signature means the Orbiter 1K is not detectable until seconds before starting its attack dive. Attacks can also be modified as needed or aborted altogether, in which case the aircraft can be recovered and prepared for its next mission.