Finland's defence ministry has selected Aeronautics Defense Systems' Orbiter 2 unmanned air system (UAS) for its operational needs.
A €23 million ($30 million) contract is in the final approval phase and is expected to be signed soon.
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© Aeronautics Defense Systems Finland will acquire a system from the Orbiter family of air vehicles |
According to Finnish sources, the deal will include 55 mini UAS, with the acquisition aimed at giving the nation's armed forces a new surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance capability.
The final phase of the competition was between two Israeli-made systems - the Orbiter 2 and BlueBird's SpyLite.
The selected design has a 3m (9.8ft) wing span, 1m-long fuselage, and a 3.5h endurance up to an altitude of 18,000ft.
Maximum take-off weight is 9.5kg (20.9lb), with the air vehicle carrying an electro-optical/infrared sensor payload.
Source: Flight International
