Kirkuk trials come as Seabird promotes lightweight design to Jordanian and US forces
The Iraqi air force has successfully completed a trial deployment of one of its SB7L-360 Seeker observation aircraft to the northern city of Kirkuk, says airframe supplier Seabird Aviation Jordan. Routinely flown from Basra airbase in southern Iraq by the air force’s 70 Sqn, on an average of 4h per aircraft per day for missions including supply route and pipeline monitoring, the air force’s two Seekers entered service in August 2004.
The mid-September deployment builds on an impressive first year of operations, claims Seabird general manager John Schofield, who adds that “aircraft serviceability has been very good”. Amman-based Seabird is optimistic of securing a follow-on order from the Iraqi government, he says.
Operational assessments of the FLIR Systems Ultra 7500 electro-optic and forward-looking infrared sensor-equipped aircraft have recently been held for the Jordanian and US armed forces, says Seabird, adding that the latter proved that “the Seeker is well suited for convoy support and border patrol missions in austere conditions”.
Production of the Seeker is set to increase from next year, with Seabird awaiting the delivery in October of new manufacturing jigs from an Indian supplier, having recently digitally re-engineered the lightweight aircraft’s design. The company is also awaiting the completion of a new production facility at Amman’s Queen Alia airport, which Schofield says will be able to produce up to 45 aircraft during its first year.
Both investments have largely been made possible by the involvement of the Iraq-based Dabin Group, which this year acquired a 42% equity stake in the company for $12 million from shareholders Jordan’s King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau and Seabird Aviation Australia.
Two Seeker demonstrators are being completed to support marketing efforts in Europe and South Africa, says Seabird Aviation West Europe director Duncan Prentice.
CRAIG HOYLE/LONDON
Source: Flight International
