Documents
Israel Aeronautics Ltd.
Orbiter 1K
A combat-proven Israeli loitering munition derived from the Orbiter 2 mini-UAV airframe, replacing the EO/IR reconnaissance payload with an explosive charge at the nose. It is catapult-launched and controlled via a medium-range RF datalink for man-in-the-loop precision strikes.
Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-02
Pricing: Unit cost not publicly disclosed; Aeronautics won a reported $40 million order for the platform
Procurement snapshot
Availability & export
Israeli export-licensed
Israeli MoD (DECA/SIBAT) licensing; active export programme.
Channel: Direct commercial / G2G
Fielded & proven
Operator data not public
Status: active.
Lifecycle cost (est.)
No public unit price to model from. Why so few systems publish one →
Interoperability
No standardised NATO calibre / datalink detected in public specs.
Derived guidance from public data, export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.
Full specifications
Performance
Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.
| Range Maximum distance: ferry range for aircraft, operational range for vehicles, maximum engagement distance for missiles. Higher means more standoff or persistence. | 100 km |
|---|---|
| Endurance Time on station. Critical for UAVs and patrol platforms, higher means longer persistent coverage. | 4 h |
Firepower
Armament, payload and guidance.
| Warhead Warhead mass. Heavier generally means larger effect radius, at the cost of range. | 2 kg |
|---|---|
| Warhead type Blast-fragmentation, shaped charge (HEAT), penetrator, thermobaric or nuclear-capable. | Fragmentation warhead |
Physical
Dimensions, weight and crew.
| Combat weight Fully loaded weight. Lighter eases transport and bridging limits; heavier often means more armor. | 13 kg |
|---|---|
| Crew Personnel required to operate. Fewer reduces exposure; autoloaders trade a loader for mechanical complexity. | 0 |
Propulsion
Engine, power and fuel.
| Propulsion type Turbofan, turboshaft, diesel, gas turbine, solid-fuel rocket, ramjet… | Electric motor, catapult-launched |
|---|
Sensors & avionics
Radar, sensor suite and datalinks.
| Sensors IRST, EO/IR turrets, laser designators, sniper pods, thermal sights. | Miniature EO/IR payload with video tracker |
|---|---|
| Datalink Network connectivity: Link 16, MADL, national datalinks. Enables cooperative engagement. | Medium-range RF datalink (analog/digital) |
Specifications compiled from public Aeronautics Ltd. and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations, treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-02.
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What is the range of the Aeronautics Ltd. Orbiter 1K? +
The Aeronautics Ltd. Orbiter 1K has a maximum range of 100 km.
How much does the Aeronautics Ltd. Orbiter 1K weigh? +
The Aeronautics Ltd. Orbiter 1K has a combat weight of 13 kg.
How many crew does the Aeronautics Ltd. Orbiter 1K require? +
The Aeronautics Ltd. Orbiter 1K requires a crew of 0.
What is the Aeronautics Ltd. Orbiter 1K used for? +
The Aeronautics Ltd. Orbiter 1K is a uav / drone typically used for deep strike.
How much does the Aeronautics Ltd. Orbiter 1K cost? +
Aeronautics Ltd. Orbiter 1K: Unit cost not publicly disclosed; Aeronautics won a reported $40 million order for the platform. Defense program costs are rarely fully public and vary by contract and configuration.
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