On finite groups with few automorphism orbits

Abstract

Denote by $\omega(G)$ the number of orbits of the action of $Aut(G)$ on the finite group $G$. We prove that if $G$ is a finite nonsolvable group in which $\omega(G) \leqslant 5$, then $G$ is isomorphic to one of the groups $A_5,A_6,PSL(2,7)$ or $PSL(2,8)$. We also consider the case when $\omega(G) = 6$ and show that if $G$ is a nonsolvable finite group with $\omega(G) = 6$, then either $G \simeq PSL(3,4)$ or there exists a characteristic elementary abelian $2$-subgroup $N$ of $G$ such that $G/N \simeq A_5$.