Aeronautics Tests Ship-Launched Orbiter

Aeronautics has successfully tested the operation of its Orbiter aircraft from different types of navy patrol boats.

The company’s Orbiter 2 is launched from a ship using a standard catapult, and recovered by being flown into a deck-mounted net. The UAS is also water sealed so that it can float on the sea surface until being recovered in the event of a problem with the preferred recovery method.

With a 3m (9.8ft) wingspan and a fuselage length of 1m, the Orbiter 2 has already been selected by the Israeli navy for deployment on some of its combat ships. The UAS offers an endurance of 3.5 hours.

Aeronautics also offers a larger Orbiter 3 aircraft with a 3.6 m wingspan and 7-hour operating performance.

Photo Credits: Aeronautics

Source: Flight Global

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