The Israeli Navy has selected the Orbiter 2 unmanned air vehicle (UAV) built by Aeronautics Defense Systems for deployment on its combat vessels.

The UAV features a 1m-long fuselage, a 3m wingspan and a maximum take-off weight of 9.5kg, providing a mission endurance of 3.5 hours, according to Flight Global.

The vehicle also features an electro-optical or infrared camera, and is sealed so that it can float on water after landing.

Orbiter 2 can be launched by catapult for maritime missions and can be used within minutes for its next mission following recovery on to a ship’s deck.

The Israeli Navy currently operates air force-owned Eurocopter AS565MA (Atalef) helicopters from its Saar-5 missile corvettes and is seeking for new smaller fixed-wing reconnaissance systems.