Aviation News – IAI and AEVEX Launch Advanced OmniRaider Unmanned System at AUSA 2025
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), in partnership with its subsidiary BlueBird Aero Systems and U.S.-based AEVEX Aerospace, has unveiled the OmniRaider, the American version of the ThunderB-Next Generation (NG) Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). The debut took place this week at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) 2025 exhibition, marking a major milestone in tactical unmanned systems collaboration between Israel and the United States.
The OmniRaider will be fully manufactured and fielded in the United States by AEVEX Aerospace, headquartered in Tampa, Florida. As an evolution of IAI’s ThunderB-VTOL family, the platform represents the latest generation of Group 3 VTOL UAS technology, combining long endurance, modular payload integration, and superior mission adaptability. The system is designed for brigade-level operations and is capable of persistent Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition (RSTA) missions.
Technically, the OmniRaider has a maximum takeoff weight of 110 pounds and supports over 20 pounds of multi-payload configurations, allowing simultaneous execution of intelligence, mapping, and reconnaissance missions. With an endurance of 12 to 14 hours and a range of up to 100 miles, it provides operators with high operational flexibility in both GPS-denied and electromagnetically congested environments. The aircraft’s smart integration architecture enables the combination of Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) sensors, Signal Intelligence (SIGINT) systems, and other mission payloads within a single sortie—significantly enhancing efficiency and adaptability.
“The OmniRaider embodies the next step in unmanned tactical aviation,” said an IAI spokesperson. “Through our collaboration with AEVEX Aerospace, we are ensuring that U.S. defense forces have access to a battle-proven, flexible, and fully American-built VTOL system designed to meet evolving mission demands.”
Looking ahead, the OmniRaider program reflects the growing demand for multi-role unmanned platforms that can support rapid deployment and high-endurance missions across complex operational environments. The U.S.-based production ensures compliance with local defense manufacturing standards and enhances strategic cooperation between allied defense industries.
With the OmniRaider’s introduction, IAI and AEVEX strengthen their position in the rapidly advancing UAS sector, offering the U.S. military a powerful new tool that blends international expertise with domestic innovation—tailored for the next generation of tactical operations.
