Aircraft & UAVs

EO/IR with Laser Pointer

Also known as
  • Orbiter 2 EO/IR with Laser Pointer
  • Orbiter 2 EO/IR payload
  • EO/IR laser pointer payload
  • EO/IR-LTD
  • EO/IR HD with Laser Target Designator

EO/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.

EO/IR with Laser Pointer, Electro-optical/infrared sensor payload with laser pointer, Aircraft & UAVs
Image source: Commons Orbiter 2 Finnish Display Image
Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
Israel
Type
Electro-optical/infrared sensor payload with laser pointer
Service note
2010s-present Orbiter-family ISR payload option

Specifications

Payload role
Day/night electro-optical and infrared sensing with laser pointer or laser target-designator context
Sensor class
EO/IR
Carrier platforms
Orbiter 2 ISR mini UAS; Aerostar NG tactical MALE UAS listed with EO/IR-HD and laser target designator
Orbiter 2 platform class
Group 2 ISR mini UAS
Carrier payload limit
Up to 1.8 kg on Orbiter 2
Carrier endurance
Up to 3 hrs
Carrier datalink
LOS up to 50 km on Orbiter 2
Adjacent Orbiter 2 payloads
ELINT, COMINT, EW, ATR, VMD, onboard tracker, and communication jammer
Carrier UAS

Aeronautics presents the EO/IR laser-pointer fit as a payload option inside configurable unmanned-aircraft systems rather than as a separate airframe.

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

The Orbiter 2 ISR page and brochure list EO/IR with Laser Pointer among the platform's available sensors and payloads, and ESD described the Finnish Orbiter 2 upgrade context as including an electro-optical payload with a laser pointer.

Sources: Orbiter 2, Orbiter 2 ISR brochure pdf, Orbiter 2 upgrade contract - ESD

Aeronautics Aerostar NG, Tactical MALE UAS, Aircraft & UAVsAeronautics Aerostar NGTactical MALE UAS

Aeronautics lists Aerostar NG with an EO/IR-HD payload using a laser target designator, which gives the page a related Aeronautics carrier context without proving the Orbiter 2 payload is the same hardware.

Sources: Aerostar NG

Configuration caveat

The available sources support payload-menu and carrier-configuration context, but they do not independently identify this exact EO/IR laser-pointer payload in a named conflict.

Sources: Orbiter 2, Orbiter 2 upgrade contract - ESD, Aerostar NG

Payload And Carrier Context

This entry covers Aeronautics payload-menu terminology rather than one publicly isolated sensor model. The cited material supports the EO/IR laser-pointer role, carrier envelopes, and sensor-to-shooter context, while leaving exact operator fits and conflict use unconfirmed for this component.

AreaDocumented detailReader note
Orbiter 2 ISR payload menuAeronautics lists EO/IR with Laser Pointer among Orbiter 2 ISR sensors and payloads.The same menu lists ELINT, COMINT, EW, ATR, VMD, onboard tracker, and communication jammer options.
Finnish Orbiter 2 upgrade contextEuropean Security & Defence described the Orbiter 2 as carrying an electro-optical payload with a laser pointer and said the Finnish upgrade package included sensors, avionics, and data-processing systems.This supports service and upgrade context, not conflict use of the payload.
Aerostar NG adjacent listingAeronautics lists Aerostar NG with EO/IR-HD and a laser target designator among its selectable payloads.This is related Aeronautics EO/IR targeting-payload context, not proof that Aerostar NG and Orbiter 2 carry the same sensor model.
Sensor-to-shooter roleEDR reported that Orbiter 2 ISR identifies targets inside Aeronautics' sensor-to-shooter package, while the loitering-munition branch performs the attack role.The payload page should therefore remain relationship-only until a source directly identifies this exact payload in a named conflict.

Sources: Orbiter 2; Orbiter 2 ISR brochure pdf; Orbiter 2 upgrade contract - ESD; Aerostar NG; Orbiter 2 Sensor-to-Shooter mission package - EDR.

Timeline

EO/IR with Laser Pointer Key Events

  1. Orbiter 2B coverage describes laser-pointer EO payload

    Defense-Update reported that the Orbiter 2B payload set included Controp STAMP-series EO payloads, including a dual-sensor M-STAMP with day camera, IR camera, and laser pointer.

    Sources: Defense-Update Orbiter 2B revamp

  2. Finnish Orbiter 2 upgrade coverage names the payload class

    European Security & Defence reported that Aeronautics' Finnish Orbiter 2 mid-life upgrade package included sensors, avionics, and data-processing systems, and described the Orbiter 2 as carrying an electro-optical payload with a laser pointer.

    Sources: Orbiter 2 upgrade contract - ESD

  3. Orbiter 2 brochure lists EO/IR with Laser Pointer

    Aeronautics' Orbiter 2 ISR brochure lists EO/IR with Laser Pointer in the platform's applications and payloads, alongside electronic-intelligence, communications-intelligence, electronic-warfare, tracker, video-processing, and jammer options.

    Sources: Orbiter 2 ISR brochure pdf

  4. Orbiter 2 sensor-to-shooter package reported

    EDR reported Aeronautics' Orbiter 2 sensor-to-shooter concept, in which the ISR airframe finds and identifies targets while sharing ground-control and software commonality with the loitering-munition branch.

    Sources: Orbiter 2 Sensor-to-Shooter mission package - EDR

Media

EO/IR with Laser Pointer Videos

EO/IR with Laser Pointer Images

EO/IR with Laser Pointer, Electro-optical/infrared sensor payload with laser pointer, Aircraft & UAVs - view 1
Source: Commons Azeri Orbiter Parade Image
EO/IR with Laser Pointer, Electro-optical/infrared sensor payload with laser pointer, Aircraft & UAVs - view 2
Source: Commons Aeronautics Orbiter UAV Image
EO/IR with Laser Pointer, Electro-optical/infrared sensor payload with laser pointer, Aircraft & UAVs - view 3
Source: Commons Serbian Orbiter Image
Related Weapon Systems
EO/IR Pod, Electro-optical/infrared airborne sensor pod, Support EquipmentSupport EquipmentEO/IR PodElectro-optical/infrared airborne sensor podEO/IR Pod is a support-equipment entry for airborne electro-optical and infrared sensor pods used to find, track, and designate targets from aircraft and UAVs. The page centers on source-backed examples: Canadian WESCAM sensors assessed on Turkish UAVs in Nagorno-Karabakh, Libya, and Syria; Aero's L-39 Skyfox mission fit showing an EO/IR pod; and the U.S. Coast Guard HC-130J's nose-mounted EO/IR pod. Because carrier publications often name the function rather than a specific model, the relationship notes separate identified WESCAM MX-series evidence from generic EO/IR-pod references.
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.
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 2Publisher: Aeronautics Defense Systems | Note: Supports manufacturer background, Orbiter 2 ISR carrier context, payload options including EO/IR with Laser Pointer, and technical specifications for the Orbiter 2 Mini UAS. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Orbiter 2 ISR brochure pdfPublisher: Aeronautics Defense Systems | Note: Supports the exact EO/IR with Laser Pointer payload listing and published Orbiter 2 ISR specifications, including MTOW, payload limit, endurance, datalink range, and adjacent payload options. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Orbiter 2 upgrade contract - ESDPublisher: European Security & Defence | Note: Supports the April 2023 Finnish Orbiter 2 mid-life upgrade context and directly describes the Orbiter 2 payload set as including an electro-optical payload with a laser pointer. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Orbiter 2 Sensor-to-Shooter mission package - EDRPublisher: EDR Magazine | Note: Supports the June 6, 2024 Orbiter 2 sensor-to-shooter context, including the ISR airframe's target-finding role and shared control/software context with the loitering-munition branch. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Aerostar NGPublisher: Aeronautics Defense Systems | Note: Supports related Aeronautics carrier context: Aerostar NG is listed with an EO/IR-HD payload using a laser target designator, and its product page gives MALE UAS payload and performance context. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Defense-Update Orbiter 2B revampPublisher: Defense-Update | Note: Supports historical Orbiter 2B payload context, including reporting that Orbiter 2B used STAMP-family EO payloads and the M-STAMP day-camera, IR-camera, and laser-pointer fit. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Commons Orbiter 2 Finnish Display ImagePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the primary Orbiter 2 image used on the EO/IR with Laser Pointer page. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Commons Azeri Orbiter Parade ImagePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for an Azerbaijani Orbiter image used as a secondary gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Commons Aeronautics Orbiter UAV ImagePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for an Aeronautics Orbiter UAV 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: 2026-06-29