CiS introduces ORKA Dock Mini for UAV launch and recovery operations from compact platforms
Rostock, Germany, 15th September 2026 – CiS, a leading European developer of tactical aerial drones, has completed validation testing of its new ORKA Dock Mini, a compact autonomous launch and recovery system for integration with small uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs) and pickup trucks.
The final flight tests were conducted at night ahead of the first system’s delivery to an undisclosed naval customer.
ORKA Dock Mini is a quick-to-deploy base from which to launch and recover CiS’s multi-mission drone, ORKA. Its footprint measures just 80 by 80 centimetres, unlocking the capability for collaborative mission autonomy with small maritime and land platforms where space is limited. Flight operations can continue uninterrupted regardless of whether the host platform is stationary or moving – including at sea.
The validation programme also demonstrated ORKA operating on a tether. By providing a continuous external power supply to the Dock Mini, tethered operation enables unlimited ORKA flight duration, allowing persistent surveillance without the need to land and recharge. In conventional flight configuration, ORKA has a flight endurance of up to 75 minutes, with a maximum speed of 100 kilometres per hour.
Tom Kaufmann, Founder and CEO of CiS, said: “ORKA Dock Mini takes many of the features found in our fully enclosed, but larger, ORKA Dock and repackages them into a much smaller form factor. Dock Mini can be installed on small USVs and land platforms or carried by a conventional pickup truck, giving operators greater freedom over where and how they deploy an airborne capability.”
He added: “The successful completion of these tests is an important milestone ahead of delivery to our naval customer. It demonstrates that a compact system can still deliver the endurance, flexibility and operator-free performance required for demanding surveillance and security missions.”
ORKA Dock Mini is designed to operate by day or night, in all weather conditions and up to sea state 3 (tested). Applications include persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; force protection; perimeter monitoring; convoy overwatch; harbour security; and the protection of vessels and critical infrastructure.