Israeli-manufactured mini unmanned aerial vehicle providing tactical intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) for Finnish ground forces. The Orbiter 2B is a man-portable system with wingspan of 2.2 metres, endurance of 4-7 hours, operational radius of 60+ km, and payload capacity for electro-optical/infrared gimbal cameras and communications relay equipment. Launch via catapult or hand-throw with parachute recovery, enabling operations without runways or launch infrastructure. Weight of 9.5 kg including payload. Quiet electric propulsion provides low acoustic signature for covert surveillance. Real-time video transmission to ground control station and portable displays carried by forward observers. The system provides battalion and brigade-level commanders with organic UAV capability without requiring dedicated UAV units. Finland procured Orbiter 2B systems following successful trials, with deliveries from 2019 onwards. The UAVs have been integrated into Finnish rapid deployment forces, providing persistent surveillance capability for territorial defense operations. Particularly valuable for monitoring Finland's 1,340 km border with Russia. Operated by artillery and reconnaissance units for target acquisition and damage assessment.
- Very small and quiet — hard to detect visually or acoustically
- Rapid deployment by small infantry team
- Day/night electro-optical/infrared sensor payload
- Encrypted datalink resistant to jamming
- Low logistics footprint
- Short endurance limits persistent surveillance
- Limited payload — no strike capability
- Hand-launched system vulnerable to strong Arctic winds
- Dependent on Israeli supply chain for maintenance
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