What Orbit Communication Systems does

Orbit Communication Systems Ltd. (TASE: ORBI) is an Israeli provider of satellite communication (SATCOM) terminals and tracking systems serving airborne, maritime, ground, and space platforms. Founded in 1950 and headquartered in Netanya, the company develops stabilized multi-band antenna systems including the OceanTRx maritime series (OceanTRx 4, 7, and MIL-grade variants operating across C, X, Ku, Ka, and wideband Ka bands), the Multi-Purpose Terminal (MPT) airborne and land family (MPT 30Ku, 30WGX, 46WGX, 60, 87, and the 2026 MPT40), Gaia Earth Observation ground stations (Gaia 100/200/300/400), TerraTRx NGSO constellation ground stations, AirTRx business-aviation terminals, OrBeam electronically steerable antennas, and Orion/Audio Management systems using patented Dual IP Ring topology. The December 2021 acquisition of Euclid Systems Engineering added lightweight positioners and tracking systems for UAV, satellite, sea, and land platforms.

The product portfolio is structured as a platform-plus-modules architecture addressing government/defense and commercial verticals. Government and military customers deploy Orbit systems on naval fleets (deployed by 30+ navies including Israeli Navy Saar 6-class corvettes, multiple Asian navies, and NATO fleets), mission aircraft, rotary-wing, UAVs, and ground forces under MIL-STD-461G, MIL-STD-810G/H, MIL-STD-1275, and Inmarsat/Viasat type approvals. Commercial customers include satellite operators (ATLAS Space Operations, Spacecom with AMOS-17 performance testing) and cruise/aviation operators using commercial equivalents. NetShroud+ adds AI-based cybersecurity (anomaly detection via ANNs, zero-trust micro-segmentation) to ground station installations.

Orbit earns revenue primarily through direct hardware sales of SATCOM terminals to defense ministries and integrators (contract sizes disclosed from $1.4M to $36.7M), won via competitive tenders and direct negotiations, with additional recurring revenue from system upgrades, on-board spare servicing, and maintenance contracts (e.g., US Air Force mission systems). Distribution and technology partnerships extend reach without proportionate sales overhead: COMSAT (Satcom Direct family) for North American channel, European and Southeast Asian integrators for naval platform installations, and Viasat for Ka-band network integration. Orbit is being acquired by Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, indicating consolidation within the broader US-aligned defense communications market.

Name

Orbit Communication Systems

Legal name

Orbit Communication Systems Ltd.

Website

https://orbit-cs.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Orbit Communication Systems (TASE: ORBI), founded 1950 in Netanya, Israel, designs multi-band SATCOM terminals, tracking antennas, and audio systems for naval, airborne, land, and space platforms serving defense agencies and commercial operators across 30+ navies worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Satellite Communication Terminals

NAICS

Satellite Telecommunications (51741), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing (334220)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Computer Communications Equipment (3576), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)

akta.pro primary industry

Satellite Mobility Connectivity (Maritime, Aviation, Rail, Land Mobile) (HDAIAJAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Avionics Communication Systems (VHF/UHF/SATCOM/Data Link) (IMABAFAG), Satellite Broadband Terminals & Gateways (VSAT/LEO CPE) (HDAFAIAM), UAS Communications, Datalinks, SATCOM & Remote Control Systems (IMABAIAJ)

Keywords

• Satellite communication terminals
• Maritime SATCOM systems
• Airborne SATCOM terminals
• Earth observation ground stations
• Military communications hardware

Headquarters

HQ city

Netanya

HQ country

Israel

HQ region

Middle East

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. SATCOM Terminal Sales: Direct hardware sales of satellite communication terminals including OceanTRx maritime systems, MPT airborne terminals, and ground station solutions. Products sold to defense agencies, navies, commercial operators, and system integrators globally. Typical order values range from $1.4M (European customer for Gaia-100) to $13.6M (Asian navy for OceanTRx systems) to $36.7M in strategic defense orders.
2. System Upgrades and Maintenance: Upgrade, service, and maintenance contracts for installed systems including US Air Force mission systems upgrades. On-board spare (OBS) and servicing for marine platforms included with major orders.
3. Distribution Agreement Revenue: Revenue through distribution partners like COMSAT who expand hardware footprint and provide connectivity services, positioning Orbit as single source for both hardware and connectivity services.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Orbit Communication Systems designs, manufactures, and sells satellite communication (SATCOM) terminals and tracking systems for airborne, maritime, and ground platforms, plus 3D audio management systems for military and commercial use. Its portfolio spans stabilized maritime antennas (OceanTRx), multi-purpose airborne terminals (MPT), Earth observation ground stations (Gaia), electronically steerable antennas (OrBeam), and acquired positioners/tracking systems (Euclid), serving defense forces, navies, air forces, and commercial operators worldwide.

Product overview

Orbit Communication Systems is a global provider of communication and satellite tracking solutions for commercial and government markets. The product portfolio operates as a platform-plus-modules architecture centered on three core domains: Maritime SATCOM (OceanTRx 4/7 and military MIL variants), Airborne SATCOM (Multi-Purpose Terminal family including MPT 30/40/46/60/87 variants, AirTRx for business aviation), and Ground Systems (Gaia 100/200/300/400 Earth Observation stations, TerraTRx for New Space constellations). Supporting these are Audio Management Systems (Orion™, ADAMS NexGen, Radio Gateway), Electronically Steerable Antennas (OrBeam ESA), and acquired capabilities from Euclid for positioners and tracking. The company also offers cybersecurity add-ons (NetShroud+) and antenna management solutions (OSM). Products serve diverse platforms including naval vessels, aircraft, ground stations, and offshore platforms across commercial and military applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Orbit: Primary company brand for airborne communications, satellite-tracking, maritime, ground-station and new space solutions
• OceanTRx
• MPT (Multi-Purpose Terminal)
• Gaia
• AirTRx
• Orion
• ADAMS NexGen
• OrBeam
• TerraTRx
• Euclid

Products and services

• OceanTRx 4

Quantifiable outcome

• 140+ Mbps forward link and 40+ Mbps return link demonstrated on MPT30 terminals
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability4 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Euclid Systems EngineeringcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 December 2021Orbit acquired Euclid Systems Engineering in December 2021 to expand product portfolio into lightweight positioning and tracking systems for defense industries. The acquisition enhances capabilities in unmanned aerial, satellite, sea, and land vehicle applications, allowing Orbit to leverage synergies and expand market offerings.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Kratos Defense & Security Solutions: Kratos is the acquirer of Orbit and a broader defense prime offering unmanned systems, RF products, and SATCOM-related solutions. Following acquisition, Kratos is both parent and overlapping competitor in antenna, RF, and defense communications markets.
• General Dynamics Mission Systems: General Dynamics Mission Systems supplies tactical and strategic communications including SATCOM terminals and network systems for US and allied defense customers. Overlaps with Orbit's MPT and OceanTRx families in military programs.
• Honeywell Aerospace: Honeywell is a major avionics incumbent offering SATCOM terminals, Inmarsat and Ka-band connectivity solutions for business aviation and military aircraft. Competes with Orbit's AirTRx and MPT families across the aviation SATCOM stack.
• L3Harris Technologies: L3Harris is a Tier-1 defense prime producing tactical SATCOM terminals, HF/VHF/UHF communications, and avionics. Overlaps directly with Orbit's defense communications portfolio across airborne, maritime, and ground domains.
• Raytheon (RTX): RTX's Collins Aerospace and Raytheon divisions provide airborne SATCOM terminals, avionics, and defense communications systems, competing with Orbit's MPT and AirTRx families across military aviation and business jet markets.
• Thales: Thales supplies military and commercial SATCOM terminals (including stabilized maritime antennas and airborne systems) under its Thales Alenia Space and defense divisions, directly overlapping with OceanTRx and MPT positioning.

Direct peers

• Cobham Advanced Electronic Solutions: Cobham (now part of Eaton/TransDigm portfolio historically) supplies airborne and maritime SATCOM terminals, including stabilized antenna systems, directly competing with Orbit's OceanTRx and MPT product lines for defense and commercial mobility customers.
• Viasat: Viasat is both a partner and competitor - it operates the Global Xpress/ViaSat-3 Ka-band network and also supplies SATCOM terminals for government and aviation. The August 2024 partnership with Orbit shows direct technology overlap and route-to-market.

Emerging players

• GetSat: GetSat develops compact SATCOM terminals and electronically steerable antennas (ESA) for airborne, maritime, and ground defense platforms. It is an emerging direct competitor to Orbit's MPT and OrBeam product lines, particularly in tactical and on-the-move applications.
• SatixFy: SatixFy is an Israeli fabless chip and terminal specialist focused on electronically steered SATCOM antennas and multi-orbit connectivity. Competes with Orbit's OrBeam ESA roadmap and shares Israeli roots and prime contractor relationships.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/orbit-communication-systems-ltd
• Xx.com/OrbitCS
• Facebookfacebook.com/Orbit.Communication.Systems

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors3 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Orbit Communication Systems