Electronic Warfare

Communication Jammer

Also known as
  • Orbiter 2 jammer payload
  • Orbiter 2 communication jammer payload
  • Orbiter 2 ISR communication jammer
  • Mini UAS communication jammer

Communication Jammer is Aeronautics' communication-jamming payload option for the Orbiter 2 ISR mini-UAS, not a standalone jammer vehicle. Aeronautics lists it alongside EO/IR, ELINT, COMINT, EW, ATR, VMD, onboard tracking, and WAMI payloads, while specialist and supplier sources place mini-UAS airborne communication jamming in the Netline Woodpecker Light class.

Communication Jammer, Jammer payload option, Electronic Warfare
Image source: Commons Orbiter 2 Finnish Display Image
Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
Israel
Type
Jammer payload option
Service note
2020s Orbiter 2 ISR payload option
Unit cost
Not publicly documented
Number built
Not publicly disclosed

Specifications

Function
Airborne communication-jamming payload option for a mini-UAS carrier
Carrier platform
Aeronautics Orbiter 2 ISR mini-UAS
Carrier MTOW
13 kg
Carrier payload capacity
Up to 1.8 kg
Carrier class
Group 2 ISR mini UAS
Carrier endurance
Up to 3 hrs
Carrier datalink
Encrypted line-of-sight datalink up to 50 km, with AES-256 and frequency hopping listed in the brochure
Carrier speed
50 kts
Published payload menu
EO/IR, EO/IR with Laser Pointer, ELINT, COMINT, EW, WAMI, ATR, VMD, onboard tracker, communication jammer, and built-in user payload capability
Jamming payload context
Defense Update identifies Netline's Woodpecker EW jammer as the Orbiter 2 stand-in electronic-attack fit; Netline describes C-Block Woodpecker Light as a mini-UAS jamming pod
Carrier UAV

Aeronautics presents Communication Jammer as one of the Orbiter 2 ISR payload options rather than as a separate jammer platform.

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

The current Orbiter 2 ISR product page and brochure list Communication Jammer among the system's selectable sensors and payloads.

Sources: Orbiter 2 ISR, Orbiter 2 ISR brochure pdf

Relationship boundary

No direct source reviewed for this entry identifies the communication-jammer payload itself in a specific armed conflict, so this page remains relationship-only and does not inherit the Orbiter 2 carrier's conflict rows.

Sources: Orbiter 2 ISR, Orbiter 2 ISR brochure pdf, Defense Update Orbiter family

Payload Context

Aeronautics treats Communication Jammer as one option inside the Orbiter 2 ISR payload suite, not as a separate aircraft. The manufacturer payload menu places it beside intelligence-collection, electronic-warfare, video-processing, tracking, and imaging modules that fit within the Orbiter 2 ISR carrier envelope.

Manufacturer label

Communication Jammer appears in Aeronautics' Orbiter 2 ISR sensors-and-payloads list.

Adjacent payloads

The same source set lists COMINT, ELINT, EW, WAMI, ATR, VMD, onboard tracking, and EO/IR options.

Jammer example

Defense Update identifies Netline's Woodpecker EW jammer as an Orbiter 2 stand-in electronic-attack fit, and Netline describes C-Block Woodpecker Light as a mini-UAS jamming pod.

Carrier limits

Aeronautics lists a 13 kg maximum takeoff weight, up to 1.8 kg payload capacity, up to three hours endurance, and an encrypted 50 km LOS datalink for the Orbiter 2 ISR.

Sources: Orbiter 2 ISR; Orbiter 2 ISR brochure pdf; Defense Update Orbiter family; Netline C-Block Woodpecker Light.

Timeline

Communication Jammer Key Events

  1. Woodpecker jammer fit reported

    Defense Update described Orbiter 2 as a multi-payload tactical UAS and identified Netline's Woodpecker EW jammer as its stand-in electronic-attack payload.

    Sources: Defense Update Orbiter family

  2. Finnish mid-life upgrade announcement

    European Security & Defence reported that Aeronautics' Finnish Defense Forces Orbiter 2 upgrade covered sensors, avionics, and data-processing systems, and noted that Orbiter 2 can carry EW payloads for ELINT, COMINT, or jamming missions.

    Sources: Orbiter 2 upgrade contract - ESD

  3. Orbiter 2 STS concept announced

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

    Sources: Aeronautics introduces New Orbiter 2 LM Concept

  4. Current Orbiter 2 ISR material names the jammer

    Aeronautics' current Orbiter 2 ISR page and brochure list Communication Jammer among selectable sensors and payloads for the 13 kg mini-UAS.

    Sources: Orbiter 2 ISR, Orbiter 2 ISR brochure pdf

Media

Communication Jammer Videos

Communication Jammer Images

Communication Jammer, Jammer payload option, Electronic Warfare - view 1
Source: Commons Azeri Orbiter Parade Image
Communication Jammer, Jammer payload option, Electronic Warfare - view 2
Source: Commons Aeronautics Orbiter UAV Image
Communication Jammer, Jammer payload option, Electronic Warfare - view 3
Source: Commons Serbian Orbiter 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.
ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System, Tactical jamming pod system, Electronic WarfareElectronic WarfareALQ-99 Tactical Jamming SystemTactical jamming pod systemThe ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System is a U.S. external-carriage airborne electronic attack pod family used to jam radar and communications targets for suppression of enemy air defenses. NAVAIR says it entered service in 1971, served on the EA-6B Prowler before transitioning to the EA-18G Growler in 2010, and remains in use alongside Next Generation Jammer pods, including documented VAQ-133 carriage during 2026 Iran War strike operations.
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.

Sources

Orbiter 2 ISRPublisher: Aeronautics Defense Systems | Note: Supports the current Orbiter 2 ISR product page, Communication Jammer payload listing, adjacent payload menu, carrier role, and headline platform specifications. | Accessed: 2026-07-05Orbiter 2 ISR brochure pdfPublisher: Aeronautics Defense Systems | Note: Supports Orbiter 2 ISR specifications, payload capacity, datalink details, payload menu, and built-in user payload capability. | Accessed: 2026-07-05Defense Update Orbiter familyPublisher: Defense Update | Note: Supports specialist-source context that Orbiter 2's stand-in electronic-attack payload would use Netline's Woodpecker EW jammer, and broader multi-payload Orbiter 2 context. | Accessed: 2026-07-05Netline C-Block Woodpecker LightPublisher: Netline Communication Technologies | Note: Supports C-Block Woodpecker Light mini-UAS jamming-pod context, including airborne communication-jamming role and frequency-band description. | Accessed: 2026-07-05Orbiter 2 upgrade contract - ESDPublisher: European Security & Defence | Note: Supports the Finnish Defense Forces mid-life upgrade announcement and the reporting that Orbiter 2 can carry EW payloads for ELINT, COMINT, or jamming missions. | Accessed: 2026-07-05Aeronautics 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: 2026-07-05Commons Orbiter 2 Finnish Display ImagePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the primary Orbiter 2 carrier image used on this payload page. | Accessed: 2026-07-05Commons Azeri Orbiter Parade ImagePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for an Azerbaijani Orbiter 2M carrier image used in the gallery. | Accessed: 2026-07-05Commons Aeronautics Orbiter UAV ImagePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for an Aeronautics Orbiter UAV image used in the gallery. | Accessed: 2026-07-05Commons Serbian Orbiter ImagePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for an Orbiter UAV image used in the gallery. | Accessed: 2026-07-05