CiS ORKA Dock Mini

History

The CiS ORKA Dock Mini is a compact automatic launch and recovery system developed in Germany for the CiS ORKA unmanned aircraft. It is intended for small mobile platforms where the larger ORKA Dock cannot be accommodated.

CiS completed validation testing of the Dock Mini in September 2026. Final flight tests were conducted at night before delivery of the first unit to an undisclosed naval customer, according to Defence Blog.

The system follows the larger ORKA Dock, which CiS introduced earlier in 2026 for automatic deployment of ORKA aircraft from maritime and mobile platforms.

Development

The Dock Mini was developed by CiS as a smaller alternative to the company's fully enclosed ORKA Dock. Its 80 by 80 cm footprint allows installation on compact uncrewed surface vessels, uncrewed ground vehicles, and conventional pickup trucks. CiS states that the system can launch and recover ORKA aircraft while the host platform is stationary or moving, including while a vessel is underway.

The original ORKA Dock had previously demonstrated automatic launch and recovery from the moving FLANQ Q-RECON 24 uncrewed surface vessel during the SeaSEC 2026 exercise in Rostock. Information published by Ocean Business states that the larger system operated during two weeks of SeaSEC missions and demonstrated recovery while the vessel was moving at speeds of up to 15 knots. The Dock Mini applies related launch-and-recovery functions in a substantially smaller installation.

Validation testing

CiS announced completion of Dock Mini validation testing on September 15, 2026. The final tests included night operations. The company said completion of the trials was a milestone before delivery of the first unit to its naval customer.

Validation also included operation of an ORKA aircraft on a tether connected to the Dock Mini's external power supply. This configuration allows the aircraft to remain airborne without relying solely on its onboard battery endurance. In normal untethered operation, the ORKA aircraft has a stated endurance of up to 75 minutes.

Design

The ORKA Dock Mini is designed as a compact launch and recovery installation for the CiS ORKA unmanned aircraft. The system occupies an area of approximately 80 by 80 cm, allowing it to be fitted to small vessels and vehicles with limited available deck or cargo space.

The Dock Mini is designed to support automatic aircraft launch and recovery from either stationary or moving host platforms. CiS identifies small uncrewed surface vessels, uncrewed ground vehicles, and pickup trucks as possible installation platforms.

Mobile operation

The system is intended to maintain launch and recovery capability while its host platform is moving. Maritime applications include operation from small vessels underway at sea. CiS states that the Dock Mini is designed for day and night use, operation in varying weather conditions, and sea states up to 5.

Tethered operation

The Dock Mini can support a tethered ORKA configuration using an external power supply. During validation testing, CiS operated the aircraft while it was connected to the dock by a tether. This mode is intended for missions requiring the aircraft to remain continuously positioned over an area without repeated landing for battery charging.

Compatible aircraft

The system is designed around the CiS ORKA unmanned aircraft. In standard untethered configuration, ORKA has a stated endurance of up to 75 minutes and a maximum speed of 100 km/h. The Dock Mini provides the launch, recovery, and optional external-power interface for the aircraft.

Program status

As of September 2026, CiS had completed validation testing of the ORKA Dock Mini and was preparing the first unit for delivery to an undisclosed naval customer. The available information does not identify the customer, quantity ordered, or a broader production schedule.

CiS identifies surveillance, reconnaissance, force protection, perimeter monitoring, convoy overwatch, harbor security, and protection of vessels or critical infrastructure as intended applications. These are stated mission roles rather than confirmed operational deployments.

Specifications (ORKA Dock Mini)

General characteristics

• Type: Compact automatic UAV launch and recovery system
• Manufacturer: CiS
• Country of development: Germany
• Footprint: 80 × 80 cm
• Compatible aircraft: CiS ORKA
• Installation platforms: Small vessels, uncrewed surface vessels, uncrewed ground vehicles, and pickup trucks

Operating capabilities

• Host-platform operation: Launch and recovery while stationary or moving
• Lighting conditions: Day and night operation
• Maritime environment: Designed by CiS for operation up to sea state 5
• Tether capability: ORKA can operate on a tether connected to the Dock Mini's external power supply

Related equipment

• CiS ORKA Dock: Larger fully enclosed launch and recovery system introduced in 2026 for automatic ORKA operations from ships, uncrewed surface vessels, land vehicles, and expeditionary sites. It was demonstrated aboard the FLANQ Q-RECON 24 during SeaSEC 2026.
• CiS ORKA: Unmanned aircraft used with the Dock Mini and the larger ORKA Dock.