Washington, D.C. Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), a world-class aerospace and defence leader, with its subsidiary BlueBird Aero Systems and US based partner AEVEX Aerospace, will be jointly debuting at AUSA 2025 this week, the OmniRaider, the US version of the ThunderB-Next Generation (NG) Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL) Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS).
The OmniRaidar VTOL will be fully manufactured and fielded in the US by AEVEX Aerospace, a Tampa-based UAS leader. This UAS represents the latest evolution in Group 3 (DOW) VTOL UAS platform from the ThunderB-VTOL family.
The OmniRaidar VTOL system features a maximum take-off weight of 110 lbs and more than 20lbs in multi-payload configuration to support simultaneous missions from a single platform. The core strength of the OmniRaider is its mission-ready flexibility to carry multiple types of payloads. The legacy ThunderB platform was integrated with 11 different payloads to execute multiple distinct missions. These include pairing airborne intelligence (EO/IR) with Signal Intelligence (SIGINT), conducting mapping and reconnaissance in parallel or combining intelligence gathering with the ability to support strike capability. The system’s smart integration architecture enables operators to maximise operational output from every sortie, increasing mission effectiveness and flexibility in the field.
The system offers endurance of 12–14 hours and a range of 100 miles, providing persistent Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition (RSTA) support for brigade-level operations, ensuring survivability in contested environments, while capable of operations in GPS-denied environments and congested Electro-Magnetic Interference (EMI) airspace.
Boaz Levy, IAI’s President and CEO, said, “The OmniRaider brings a new level of operational flexibility to tactical UAS, combining multi-payload endurance with VTOL agility in a one platform, developed in close partnership with AEVEX. The system is manufactured in the US as part of our strategy to combine advanced Israeli technology with US-based production to meet the evolving needs of allied forces while contributing to local economic growth and job creation that supports the domestic US defence industry.”
Bob Horky, AEVEX’s Chief Growth Officer, commented, “AEVEX is proud to bring the OmniRaider to the US Army. This platform offers a unique balance of endurance, payload flexibility and survivability – critical for today’s operational environment. The manufacturing of the OmniRaidar VTOL in America will support jobs in our Tampa-based facility and we look forward to fielding this latest evolution in the Group 3 (DOW) VTOL platforms for the Army Brigade”.
Based on the operational and field-proven ThunderB UAS already deployed by several customers worldwide and following ThunderB’s successful integration of 11 different payloads over the past two years, the new OmniRaider is built for RSTA missions, combining long endurance, multi-payload capabilities and operational flexibility for a broad range of mission requirements.
