Aurora secures Orion UAS development contract
Aurora Flight Sciences has received a $48 million contract from the US Air Force for the continued development of the Orion UAS, the company announced on 3 January.
The Orion is a twin-engine UAS capable of flying for over 100 hours at a time with large payloads.
Work on the Orion UAS began in 2006 and its first flight was conducted in August 2013. In December 2014, Orion set the current UAS world endurance record with an 80 hour, two minute and 52 second flight.
The UAS capabilities support multiple intelligence missions simultaneously, including full motion video, electro optical infrared sensor, communication relay, cross cueing and payload fusion.
The Orion can fly at an altitude between 15,000ft and 30,000ft, has an endurance of more than 120 hours and can carry a payload of up to 2800lb.
Work under the contract will be performed in Columbus, Mississippi, and Manassas, Virginia.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments]()
AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments
Quantum-Systems has been upgrading its UAS family, with new versions of the Vector, Reliant and Twister drones set for release throughout 2025.
-
![US Army accelerates acquisition and field of company-level sUAS]()
US Army accelerates acquisition and field of company-level sUAS
The service has been using a Directed Requirement (DR) approach to speed up the deployment of a Medium Range Reconnaissance capability.
-
![AeroVironment to display eVTOL P550 at AUSA 2024]()
AeroVironment to display eVTOL P550 at AUSA 2024
AeroVironment’s portfolio will grow thanks to the eVTOL P550 aimed at battalion-level tactical forces.
-
![Australia’s air force aims its UAV fleet northwards]()
Australia’s air force aims its UAV fleet northwards
The Royal Australian Air Force is advancing its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities across three key programmes as it works with the likes of Boeing and Northrop Grumman to reshape Australia’s defence strategy.
-
![FTUAS competitor trials were “very successful”, says US Army official]()
FTUAS competitor trials were “very successful”, says US Army official
Prototypes from Griffon Aerospace and Textron Systems recently passed through MOSA conformance trials and flight tests.
-
![Pentagon adds Replicator 2 to budget request with focus on C-sUAS capabilities]()
Pentagon adds Replicator 2 to budget request with focus on C-sUAS capabilities
Funds for the second phase of this effort will be allocated in the US Department of Defense (DoD) FY2026 budget request.
