With the Government Companies Authority raising objections to the sale of Yavne-based unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) manufacturer Aeronautics (TASE: ARCS) to Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and businessperson Avichai Stolero, Aeronautics today reported a new UAV deal in South America.
Aeronautics said that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with a government company in South America, under which Aeronautics would supply its Orbiter 2 and Orbiter 3 UAV systems and accompanying support and maintenance services to the South American country. The deal amounts to $10 million.
According to Aeronautics' report, the new agreement increases the scope of a previous agreement between it and the South American customer. It was also reported that a final agreement between the parties would be signed in the coming days, with delivery of the UAVs slated within a few months.
This is the second UAV deal reported by Aeronautics in the past two weeks. In the preceding deal reported in late June, the company will supply Orbiter 3 systems for $8 million to a customer it described as important. Aeronautics revealed no other details about the customer, but market sources said it was an Asian country.
Orbiter 3 is a lightweight tactical UAV used by armies and security agencies. Its operational range is 100 kilometers and it is capable of flying for seven hours. Orbiter 3 can carry a special payload with three sensors, and is also adaptable for night missions.
A special launcher is used for Orbiter 3, which has a quiet electric engine that gives it the ability to perform secret missions. It lands using a parachute and an air cushion.
Aeronautics CEO Amos Mathan said, "Orbiter UAVs are capable of performing a wide range of missions. The value that they provide for naval, land, and air forces in various armies is decisive on the battlefield and in police and border defense missions."
Published by Globes, Israel business news - en.globes.co.il - on July 9, 2019
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