Defence

By Peter La Franchi in Paris

Sagem Défense Sécurité has confirmed that Greece has placed orders for two additional Sperwer A tactical unmanned air vehicle (UAV) systems, taking the country's totally inventory, once delivered, to four.

In parallel, Sagem has revealed it is developing a satellite communications capability for its Sperwer B tactical UAV and is preparing to integrate the Selex Picosar miniature synthetic aperture radar into the aircraft to support carrying out of more complex battlefield operations.

A prototype air vehicle has been unveiled at this week’s Eurosatory exhibition in Paris (pictured above).

A new infra-red / electro optic (IR/EO) sensor that will be able to provide visual imagery of 50mm (2in) resolution from 9,000ft (2,500m) is also in development to improve the UAV's ability to monitor individual human actions in operations less hostile than war.

The Picosar would be in a fixed mount in the forward Sperwer B fuselage below the fixed forward canard and angled to allow for slant observation. Sagem says that it is currently test flying the miniature radar aboard its manned test bed aircraft ahead of a proposed initial integration.

Sagem became the first user to fly at the new commercial UAV flying range in northern Finland on 9 June, conducting Sperwer B flight trials. This included take-off using from a Robonic launcher. Sagem says that it is standardizing on the Robonic MC2555LLR equipment as part of the basic Sperwer B system to reduce the overall ground equipment footprint.