The Aeronautics Orbiter 4 and Pegasus 120 Tactical VTOL UAS
Aeronautics Group, a leading UAS manufacturer, presented its wide range of comprehensive defence solutions and UAS platforms at the recently concluded Paris Air Show. The company revealed its newest UAS, the multi-mission Orbiter 4, which can carry and operate two different payloads simultaneously. For example, the Orbiter 4 can carry a maritime patrol radar (MPR) together with a cellular interception sensor, and conduct land or maritime ISTAR missions beyond Line Of Sight.
Alongside its line of UAS’s and for the very first time, the company also presented the Pegasus 120: Aeronautics’ first multi rotor platform. Relying on its wide knowledge and experience in the field of unmanned aerial solutions, Aeronautics has recently stepped into the field of multi-rotor platforms, with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) solutions designed especially for defence and security missions. With its ability to carry payloads weighting up to 75 kg, the Pegasus 120 “is ideal for special missions and Special Forces”.
Together with the Orbiter 4 and Pegasus 120, Aeronautics also presented the Orbiter 1K loitering unmanned system, Orbiter 3 Small Tactical UAS and the Aerostar tactical UAS.
According to Amos Mathan, Aeronautics’ CEO: “Aeronautics Group keeps on developing innovative yet costeffective solutions, which offer maximum abilities with minimum constrains. Today’s advanced technology allows us to miniatures sensors, computers and communications, so that we can offer our customers small tactical airstrip independent UAS’s with high performances and a small logistic footprint. Aeronautics group provide comprehensive solutions comprised of UAV’s, multi rotors, aerostats, radars, and many other different sensors, that can be integrated together to one command and control center. We see a growing need for advanced UAV platforms in the international defence market, and I can say that a number of clients have already signed contracts to purchase our newest UAV, the Orbiter 4.”
The Orbiter 4 STUAS/ NSUAS is an advanced multi- mission platform with the ability to carry and operate two different payloads simultaneously. With its open architecture, the Orbiter 4 can be specially adjusted for the needs of each operation or mission. The Orbiter 4 is continuing the evolution of the Orbiter line and the small tactical UAS, which deliver “top mission performance with the lightest, most versatile, and most advanced covert platform available today, and is ideal for both land and maritime operations”. Based on the aerodynamic structure and properties of the Orbiter 3 STUAS, Orbiter 4 exclusive abilities include maximum endurance of more than 24 hours, maximum takeoff weight of 50 kg, maximum flight attitude of 18,000 feet and an ability to carry and operate two different payloads simultaneously.
The Pegasus 120 is Aeronautics’ first multi rotor platform. With a maximum payload weight of up to 75 kg and an ability to carry multiple payloads including COMINT, VISINT and Logistics, the Pegasus 120 is designed especially for defence and security missions.
The Orbiter 1K is a loitering unmanned system. Given a specific waypoint, the loitering Orbiter 1K can detect and destroy a moving or a stationary target. The system can also operate on the base of a given area range: the Orbiter 1K independently scans the area, detects and destroys the target – moving or stationary. In case the target is not detected or in any change of plans, the system’s recovery capability allows it to return to its base camp and land safely using a parachute and an airbag. Launched from a catapult, the Orbiter 1K can fly for 2-3 hours, carrying a multi-sensor camera with day-and-night channels.
The Orbiter 3 STUAS is a compact and lightweight system for military and homeland security missions, providing an operational range of up to 100 km and up to 7 hours of endurance. Carrying a triple sensor payload with day-and-night, thermal image and laser pointer, the system has significant tactical UAS capabilities in a mini-aerial platform body. Assembled in 20 minutes, the fully-autonomous, vehicle-mounted system enables static and on-themove operation.
The Aerostar advanced tactical UAS “is ideal for a wide range of short range and medium range ISR and artillery missions, as it is equipped with a large payload bay, and capable of carrying many types of payloads, including day and night EO/IR sensors, radars, and various electronic intelligence sensors (COMINT, ELINT). The Aerostar advanced tactical UAS has a proven capability for take-off and landing using very short runways and in high altitude environments. The Aerostar platform, which weighs 230 kilograms, is capable of reaching ceiling altitudes of 18,000 feet and operating at ranges of over 250 kilometres from its ground data terminal, which is connected via network to the ground control station. The drone UAS has been purchased and operated by 15 customers worldwide.”