At the Defexpo India 2014 international defence show on February 6 – 9 in New Delhi, Sagem (Safran) is showcasing a range of systems and equipment designed to meet the most demanding needs of today’s armed forces: intelligence, long-range precision strikes, surveillance, border protection, high-intensity combat and guerrilla warfare.
Sagem takes an extremely dynamic approach to develop the innovative solutions that deliver the performance needed for successful military operations. The company’s products and services reflect five main areas of expertise: navigation, observation, guidance, engagement and protection.
Sagem is exhibiting several systems for the first time at Defexpo 2014 including the Patroller tactical UAS. Patroller reflects Sagem’s long experience with tactical UAS, especially nine years of continuous operation of its Sperwer system in Afghanistan. Patroller can fly endurance missions lasting 20 hours, based on a certified airframe with a payload capacity of 250 kg. It is fitted with Sagem’s own Euroflir high-resolution optronic pod, a receiver to track maritime traffic and other sensors, especially a Comint package to eavesdrop on and locate communications. Its ground station is interoperable with military networks and civil infrastructures.
One of the main advantages of the new Patroller is that it can be used in either pure UAS mode, or with a pilot, depending on mission requirements. This greatly facilitates its use for homeland security missions, by enabling it to carry out surveillance missions even in restricted areas (current regulations do not allow UAS to operate freely in civil airspace).
Sagem’s unmanned aircraft systems are in full compliance with NATO’s interoperability standards, and are designed to be integrated in C4ISR networks: division or brigade headquarters, weapon system C2, operations center for multisensor battalions and front-time units.
Through the Sperwer system, Sagem has demonstrated its comprehensive know-how in the development and the production of UA systems: gyrostabilised day-night optronic payloads, real time imagery and datas, inertial navigation and flight control, ground segment (catapults, control stations, etc.), mission preparation and debriefing, test, logistic support, training, system integration and C4ISR connectivity.
This system has been adopted by six european and nato nations and it had been used intensively in overseas operations. Three users of Sperwer – Canada, Netherland, France – had deployed the system in Afghanistan since 2003. Sagem has produced 25 Sperwer systems and 140 unmanned aircraft sold to six countries.
Photos: Sagem
Source: Press Release