Safran Patroller
| Patroller | |
|---|---|
| File:Safran Patroller au salon du Bourget 2019.jpg Safran Patroller displayed at the Salon du Bourget (Paris, 2019) | |
| General information | |
| Type | MALE UAV |
| National origin | France |
| Manufacturer | Safran Electronics & Defense |
| Designer | |
| Primary user | French Army |
| History | |
| Introduction date | 2023 |
| First flight | 10 June 2009 |
| Developed from | Stemme ASP S15 |
The Patroller is a French medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle developed and manufactured by Safran Electronics & Defense (formerly by SAGEM). The airframe is based on the Stemme ASP S15 motor glider.
The first flight was in June 2009 at Kemijarvi in Finland; it was shown at the 2009 Paris Air Show.[1] The Patroller is a Medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (MALE) by the definition of the NATO.[2]
It completed another series of flight tests in July 2010, which demonstrated it is capable of missions lasting 20–30 hours; it can carry a 250 kg payload (including 80 kg under each wing). [3] The Patroller will carry out imaging and surveillance trials in southern France, detecting forest fires.[4]
The Patroller uses the same ground control station as Sperwer II. A Ku-band datalink is used; range is limited to 200 km (line of sight).[1]
Safran Electronics & Defense and Egyptian aircraft factory AOI have signed a collaboration agreement concerning the Patroller UAV. AOI-Aircraft Factory could handle final assembly of the drones and will develop a dedicated training center in Egypt to train staff for the operation and maintenance of the drone systems.[5]
The cost of the first 14 Patrollers for the French Army in 2016, including 12 years maintenance, was €300 million.[6]
Operators
[edit | edit source]- File:Flag of France.svg France
- French Army: 5 systems (28 drones) planned and to be delivered by 2030; first system (5 drones) to be delivered in summer 2023. Initial pre-production example was handed over to the French Army’s 61st Artillery Regiment in May 2023 for evaluation and familiarisation.
- File:Flag of Greece.svg Greece
- Hellenic Army: First export customer; 4 drones and 3 ground stations ordered in June 2023 to complement or replace the SAGEM Sperwer.[7][8]
Specifications
[edit | edit source]Data from [9]
General characteristics
- Crew: 0
- Length: 8.5 m (27 ft 11 in)
- Wingspan: 18 m (59 ft 1 in)
- Powerplant: 1 × liquid air cooled turbocharged Rotax 914F
Performance
- Maximum speed: 314 km/h (195 mph, 169 kn)
- Cruise speed: 92 km/h (57 mph, 50 kn)
- Endurance: 30 hours
- Service ceiling: 7,620 m (25,000 ft)
- Takeoff distance: 250 m (820 ft)
Avionics
- Euroflir 410 EO and IR sensors
References
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- ^ Patroller MALE Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), 5 May 2011, airforce-technology.com
See also
[edit | edit source]Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
