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
-
![Colombia confirms Gripen E/F buy, final negotiations still underway]()
Colombia confirms Gripen E/F buy, final negotiations still underway
The country was reportedly “months” away from an official aircraft selection, as of mid-March 2025.
-
![Portugal joins Embraer and Brazil on C-390 ISR capabilities study]()
Portugal joins Embraer and Brazil on C-390 ISR capabilities study
The ongoing study was first announced by Embraer in late 2024 with the Brazilian Air Force, with this latest addition announced during the LAAD defence and security exhibition.
-
![Philippines approved for potential $5.5 billion F-16 aircraft purchase]()
Philippines approved for potential $5.5 billion F-16 aircraft purchase
The potential sale, approved by the US to the Philippines, is for 20 F-16 Block 70/72 jets, days after US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth visited the country.
-
![Sweden commits to acquire four C-390 Millennium aircraft]()
Sweden commits to acquire four C-390 Millennium aircraft
The acquisition of four C-390 aircraft follows the country’s signing of an MoU in 2023 and formal selection in 2024. It will join the existing contract held by the Netherlands and Austria.
-
![Airbus to fly new CUAS UAV prototype this year]()
Airbus to fly new CUAS UAV prototype this year
The counter-UAS prototype, named Low-cost Air Defence or ‘LOAD’, will be used to combat kamikaze UAS.
-
![Taiwan receives first F-16 Block 70/72 aircraft]()
Taiwan receives first F-16 Block 70/72 aircraft
The aircraft is the first of 66 to be delivered to Taiwan from Lockheed Martin.
