Aeronautics wins order for Orbiter loitering munitions
Aeronautics' Orbiter 1k has been sold to an undisclosed customer. (Image: Aeronautics)
Aeronautics has secured a significant contract to supply its Orbiter 1K loitering munition UAS to a undisclosed international customer.
The deal was stated by the company as worth $40 million and while the number of systems was not disclosed, Shephard Defence Insight estimates the unit cost at about $115,000 per Orbiter, meaning the number of systems is possibly more than 340.
The only currently known customer is Azerbaijan which, according to the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS), operated 80 Orbiter 1K loitering munitions in 2020.
The Orbiter 1K is a UAS and loitering munition with the same structure as the Orbiter 2 but with a warhead with kinetic force. Given a specific waypoint, the loitering Orbiter 1K can detect and destroy a moving or stationary target.
Related Articles
Paris Air Show: Orbiter 1K loitering UAV unveiled
Paris Air Show: Orbiter 1K fully operational by year end
The system can also operate based on a given area range. Aeronautics used the 2015 Paris Air Show to publicly unveil the Orbiter 1K.
While not mentioning the war in Ukraine or any specific conflict, Dan Slasky, president and CEO of Aeronautics Group, commented: ‘Recent conflicts around the world have emphasised the pressing need for the diverse and battle-proven solutions Aeronautics has to offer.’
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Protecting the horizon]()
Protecting the horizon
Make it an unfair fight, with the EA-37B. Deny, degrade, and disrupt the enemy.
-
![Peru cleared for possible $3.42 billion F-16 Block 70 buy]()
Peru cleared for possible $3.42 billion F-16 Block 70 buy
The potential foreign military sale covers 12 F-16 aircraft as well as related training and equipment support, the DSCA notice said.
-
![DSEI 2025: UK’s new Air Chief Marshal outlines nuclear, space and IAMD as three key priorities for RAF]()
DSEI 2025: UK’s new Air Chief Marshal outlines nuclear, space and IAMD as three key priorities for RAF
Aiming to field a more integrated, agile force, the military leader said in a keynote speech that focus on these core areas would be increased to help the RAF deter and meet challenges in the new threat landscape.
-
![Project Kuiper’s LEO network pioneers Space-as-a-Service]()
Project Kuiper’s LEO network pioneers Space-as-a-Service
The Kuiper Network enables organizations to buy, rather than build, applications that serve mission needs at mission speed.
