Electronic Warfare

COMINT

Also known as
  • Communications Intelligence (COMINT)
  • Orbiter 2 COMINT payload
  • Communications intelligence payload
  • SIGINT payload

COMINT is Aeronautics' communications-intelligence payload option for the Orbiter 2 ISR mini-UAS, not a standalone aircraft or jammer vehicle. Aeronautics lists it in the Orbiter 2 sensor and payload menu beside EO/IR, ELINT, electronic-warfare, tracker, and communication-jammer options, placing the fit inside a compact Group 2 ISR platform with a 1.8 kg payload class.

COMINT, Communications intelligence payload, Electronic Warfare
Image source: Commons Orbiter 2 Finnish Display Image
Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
Israel
Type
Communications intelligence payload
Service note
2023-present Orbiter 2 ISR payload option

Specifications

Payload role
Communications intelligence (COMINT) / SIGINT collection support
Carrier platform
Aeronautics Orbiter 2 ISR mini UAS
Carrier platform class
Group 2 ISR mini UAS
Carrier payload capacity
Up to 1.8 kg
Carrier endurance
Up to 3 hrs
Carrier datalink
LOS up to 50 km; AES-256 and frequency hopping listed in the Orbiter 2 brochure
Listed alongside
EO/IR with Laser Pointer, WAMI, ELINT, EW, Communication Jammer, ATR, VMD, and onboard tracker payload options
Carrier UAS

Aeronautics presents COMINT as one of the Orbiter 2 ISR payload options rather than as a separate intelligence platform.

CarrierCarrier typeCarriage evidence
Aeronautics Orbiter 2, Mini unmanned aerial system, Aircraft & UAVsAeronautics Orbiter 2Mini UAS

The Orbiter 2 ISR page and June 2023 brochure both list Communications Intelligence (COMINT) among the platform's available sensors and payloads.

Sources: Orbiter 2, Orbiter 2 ISR brochure pdf

Why the carrier matters

The cited Aeronautics material describes the Orbiter 2 as a compact ISR carrier with a small logistics footprint, encrypted line-of-sight datalink, and payload capacity for multiple sensor and electronic payload options.

Sources: Orbiter 2, Orbiter 2 ISR brochure pdf

Orbiter 2 Payload Context

Aeronautics describes COMINT as a payload choice inside the Orbiter 2 ISR family. The available material supports the payload relationship and SIGINT role, but does not independently identify the COMINT payload in a named conflict.

Documented itemWhat the sources supportSource
COMINTListed by Aeronautics as Communications Intelligence in the Orbiter 2 ISR sensor and payload menu.Orbiter 2; Orbiter 2 ISR brochure pdf
SIGINT contextNSA describes signals intelligence as intelligence derived from electronic signals and systems, including communications systems.NSA SIGINT overview
Carrier envelopeThe Orbiter 2 brochure identifies a Group 2 ISR mini UAS with up to 3 hours endurance, 50 km line-of-sight datalink, and up to 1.8 kg payload weight.Orbiter 2 ISR brochure pdf
Adjacent payloadsCOMINT appears in the same payload menu as EO/IR with Laser Pointer, ELINT, EW, WAMI, ATR, VMD, onboard tracker, and Communication Jammer.Orbiter 2; Orbiter 2 ISR brochure pdf

Sources: Orbiter 2; Orbiter 2 ISR brochure pdf; NSA SIGINT overview.

Timeline

COMINT Key Events

  1. Brochure lists COMINT payload

    Aeronautics' June 2023 Orbiter 2 brochure lists Communications Intelligence (COMINT) under the platform's applications and payloads and notes built-in user payload capability for future integration.

    Sources: Orbiter 2 ISR brochure pdf

  2. Orbiter 2 STS concept announced

    Aeronautics says its Orbiter 2 ISR and Orbiter 2 LM share the same platform, communication data link, control station, and operational software in the Sensor-to-Shooter mission concept.

    Sources: Aeronautics introduces New Orbiter 2 LM Concept

Media

COMINT Videos

COMINT Images

COMINT, Communications intelligence payload, Electronic Warfare - view 1
Source: Commons Azeri Orbiter Parade Image
COMINT, Communications intelligence payload, Electronic Warfare - view 2
Source: Commons Serbian Orbiter Image
COMINT, Communications intelligence payload, Electronic Warfare - view 3
Source: Commons Aeronautics Orbiter UAV Image
Related Weapon Systems
Aeronautics Orbiter 2, Mini unmanned aerial system, Aircraft & UAVsAircraft & UAVsAeronautics Orbiter 2Mini unmanned aerial systemThe Aeronautics Orbiter 2 is an Israeli fixed-wing mini-UAS for tactical ISR, target acquisition, surveillance, and payload-flexible mission support. Current Aeronautics material presents the Orbiter 2 ISR as a 13 kg, catapult-launched system with EO/IR, electronic-intelligence, communications-intelligence, electronic-warfare, video-processing, and jammer payload options, while Azerbaijan assembled Orbiter-family UAVs through Azad Systems and fielded Orbiter-2 reconnaissance drones in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war.
EO/IR with Laser Pointer, Electro-optical/infrared sensor payload with laser pointer, Aircraft & UAVsAircraft & UAVsEO/IR with Laser PointerElectro-optical/infrared sensor payload with laser pointerEO/IR with Laser Pointer is Aeronautics' electro-optical and infrared sensor payload listing for the Orbiter 2 ISR mini-UAS, not a standalone aircraft or munition. Official product material places the payload beside ELINT, COMINT, EW, ATR, VMD, onboard tracker, and communication-jammer options, while independent upgrade coverage describes the Orbiter 2 payload set as including an electro-optical payload with a laser pointer.
Aeronautics Orbiter 3 UAV, Small tactical unmanned aircraft system, Aircraft & UAVsAircraft & UAVsAeronautics Orbiter 3 UAVSmall tactical unmanned aircraft systemThe Aeronautics Orbiter 3 is a fully electric, runway-independent small tactical UAS built for ISTAR missions and modular payloads. Aeronautics now advertises up to 10 hours of endurance, launcher-and-parachute recovery or an add-on VTOL kit, and payload options that include EO/IR, ELINT, COMINT, EW, SAR, VMD, and MTI. Azerbaijan fielded Orbiter 3s in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and Aeronautics later announced Greek procurement activity in 2023.
Predator XP, Medium-altitude long-endurance ISR remotely piloted aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsAircraft & UAVsPredator XPMedium-altitude long-endurance ISR remotely piloted aircraftPredator XP is General Atomics Aeronautical Systems' export-focused Predator-family remotely piloted aircraft for persistent overland and maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. The unarmed variant was licensed for a wider export market than armed MQ-1 Predators, with the UAE becoming the first announced customer through an International Golden Group procurement path. GA-ASI still described the UAE Armed Forces as Predator XP operators in 2023, and open-source research ties Emirati Predator XP deployment to the Yemen war.

Sources

Orbiter 2Publisher: Aeronautics Defense Systems | Note: Supports the current Orbiter 2 ISR payload list, including COMINT, and the carrier platform's role, payload-menu, datalink, and service-context claims. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Orbiter 2 ISR brochure pdfPublisher: Aeronautics Defense Systems | Note: Supports the June 2023 Orbiter 2 brochure payload list, including Communications Intelligence (COMINT), and carrier specifications such as endurance, datalink range, payload weight, and built-in user payload capability. | Accessed: 2026-06-29NSA SIGINT overviewPublisher: National Security Agency | Note: Supports the general SIGINT context for communications intelligence by describing signals intelligence as intelligence derived from electronic signals and systems, including communications systems. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Aeronautics introduces New Orbiter 2 LM ConceptPublisher: Aeronautics Defense Systems | Note: Supports the June 6, 2024 Orbiter 2 LM / STS announcement and the shared-platform, shared-datalink, shared-control-station context for the Orbiter 2 family. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Aeronautics general termsPublisher: Aeronautics Ltd. | Note: Supports Aeronautics Ltd. as a supplier based in Yavne, Israel, which backs the entry's Israeli manufacturer context. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Commons Orbiter 2 Finnish Display ImagePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the primary Orbiter 2 image used on the COMINT support page. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Commons Azeri Orbiter Parade ImagePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for an Azerbaijani Orbiter 2M carrier image used as a secondary gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Commons Serbian Orbiter ImagePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for an Orbiter UAV image used as a secondary gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Commons Aeronautics Orbiter UAV ImagePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the additional Orbiter UAV gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-06-29