05 May 2010, Paris -- The PatrollerTM surveillance drone developed by Sagem (Safran group) has successfully completed its third series of test flights (1). The flights were carried out from April 22 to 30, 2010, at the Cergy-Pontoise airfield in the greater Paris area, near Sagem’s R&D center in Eragny, where the drone is being developed.
In addition to demonstrating the trouble-free operation of the entire system, this latest series of test flights also validated the performance of the aircraft’s triplex avionics and its imaging system, comprising a Sagem Euroflir gyrostabilized optronics pod, remotely-operated from the ground, and a Ku-band link. For the first time, the Patroller drone was fitted with external tanks on its outboard hard points.
PatrollerTM is a 1-ton class medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) drone system, based on the S15 special-mission aircraft manufactured by the German company Stemme, and certified by EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency). These tests were carried out with a pilot in the aircraft, taking advantage of the drone’s ability to be operated in manned mode, which considerably facilitates development flights by allowing them to be carried out in unrestricted airspace.
Based on the excellent results of these tests, the PatrollerTM drone will shortly be moved to the Istres air base in southwest France, in June, for a new series of flight tests, this time in drone mode without a pilot, in restricted airspace. The Patroller drone could start to perform demonstration flights and operational trials as early as this summer. Sagem will be able to deliver the first fully operational Patroller system in 12 to 18 months.
PatrollerTM draws on the technologies developed in France by Sagem for its Sperwer tactical drone system, as well as this system’s long deployment experience in Afghanistan.
PatrollerTM meets virtually all French requirements for long-endurance drones, at a reasonable cost. It is also designed to support a high-speed satellite link, plus pod-mounted payloads (sensors, arms, etc.) for missions of 20 to 30 hours at a maximum altitude of 25,000 ft.
1 – The first unmanned flight of the Patroller drone took place on June 10, 2009 at the Kemijarvi test center in Finland.
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Sagem, a high-tech company in the Safran group, holds world or European leadership positions in optronics, avionics, electronics and safety-critical software for both civil and military markets. Sagem is the No. 1 company in Europe and No. 3 worldwide for inertial navigation systems (INS) used in air, land and naval applications. It is also the world leader in helicopter flight controls and the European leader in optronics and tactical UAV systems. Operating across the globe through the Safran group, Sagem and its subsidiaries employ 6,700 people in Europe, Southeast Asia and North America.
Sagem is the commercial name of the company Sagem Défense Sécurité.
Contact
Sagem (Groupe Safran)
Philippe Wodka-Gallien
Presse manager
Tel.: +33 (0)1 58 11 19 49
E-Mail : philippe.wodka-gallien@sagem.com
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