Aeronautics Defense Systems

Aeronautics Defense Systems, doing business as Aeronautics, is an Israeli defense contractor headquartered in Yavne, Israel. The company primarily manufactures unmanned aerial vehicles for both military and civilian applications. Aeronautics’ senior management is made up of figures from Israel's defense, financial and political sectors. The company's CEO is Amos Mathan, who was the CEO of Soltam Systems. The chairman of the board is Yedidia Yaari, a retired vice admiral who was the commander-in-chief of the Israeli Navy from 2000 to 2004 and the president of defense firm Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. from 2004 to 2015.

On September 2, 2019, the company was acquired by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, and Israeli businessman Avihai Stolero.[1]

History

The company was founded by Zvika Nave, Moshe Caspi and Avi Leumi in 1997 as a start-up called NETS Integrated Avionics Systems.[2] Since its inception, Aeronautics focused on developing low cost, miniature unmanned aerial systems. In 2000, the company introduced the world's smallest avionics system, which later evolved into the

Products

Unmanned aerial systems (UASs)

The Dominator UAS is a twin-engine medium-altitude long endurance (MALE) UAV based on the Diamond DA-42 aircraft. The 1800 kg (MTOW) Dominator can stay airborne for 24 hours and carry a payload of 415 kg. It was introduced in 2011. It is also involved in a civil UAS program in Canada operated in cooperation by Aeronautics and CAE. Aerostar Tactical UAS was introduced in 2001 and operated since by some 15 customers worldwide, accumulating 130,000 operational hours (Nov. 2013). Aerostar was one of the first UAS to operate in civil missions such as an oil rigs protection program near the shores of Angola, as well as in military leasing programs in the Middle East and in Afghanistan. The 230 kg (MTOW) Aerostar can stay airborne for 12 hours, operate at the range of 250 km, and carry 50 kg of payloads.[17] The Orbiter 3 Small Tactical UAS (STUAS) is an electrically powered, field deployed UAS designed for military and homeland security missions. Operated by 3 personnel, Orbiter 3 is launched from a vehicle mounted launcher and lands using a parachute and an airbag. Weighing up to 30kg, Orbiter 3 can fly for 7 hours up to the range of 100 km. It carries a multi sensor camera with day and night channels and a laser pointer. Due to its special structure and quiet electrical motor the Orbiter has a very low electromagnetic and aquatic signature, which makes it difficult to detect in the field of battle. Orbiter 3 is operated by 6 international military customers. The Orbiter Mini UAS is a compact and lightweight electrically powered system, operated by 2 soldiers. It is carried and deployed in backpacks or from a small vehicle. The Orbiter MUAS is launched from a miniature launcher and lands using a parachute and an airbag. Weighing up to 10 kg, Orbiter MUAS can fly for 4 hours up to the range of 80 km. It carries a multi sensor camera with day and night channels and a laser pointer. Due to its special structure and quiet electrical motor the Orbiter has a very low electromagnetic and aquatic signature, which makes it difficult to detect in the field of battle. Orbiter Mini UAS is operated by some 20 military, homeland security and civil customers worldwide.[18]

Dominator MALE UAS

Aerostar Tactical UAS

Orbiter 3 STUAS

Orbiter Mini UAS

Intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR)

Aerial intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance systems onboard fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft. Aeronautics' ground ISR (GISR) incorporates electro optical sensors, elevation systems and operator interfaces. Aeronautics GISR was delivered to several international military and HLS customers. The Skystar surveillance aerostat system provides its users with an "eye in the sky" at the altitude of 300–500 meters above the ground level. Tethered to the ground, the aerostat may stay airborne for long days with very short breaks for helium refill once in every 3 days. The Skystar may identify a target at the range of over 20 km. Skystar currently serves over 10 military and HLS customers worldwide.

AISR

GISR

Skystar surveillance aerostat

native name	אירונאוטיקס בע"מ
type	Limited company
industry	Defense Aerospace
founded	1997
founder	Zvika Nave, Moshe Caspi, Avi Leumi
hq location city	Yavne
hq location country	Israel
key people	Amos Mathan (CEO)
products	Unmanned aerial vehicles
revenue	▲₪ 550 million
revenue year	2015
owner	Rafael Advanced Defense Systems
num employees	600
num employees year	2015
parent	Rafael Advanced Defense Systems
subsid	RT Aerostats Systems Zanzottera Technologies Commtact
website	www.aeronautics-sys.com

Aeronautics Defense Systems

History

Controversies

Subsidiaries

Products

Unmanned aerial systems (UASs)

Intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR)

See also

References