Sagem will be exhibiting its long-endurance Patroller UAV at the entrance to the Euronaval 2010 exhibition. The Patroller was designed for a wide range of defense and homeland security applications. This is the occasion for Sagem to present its naval version.
The Patroller-M (Maritime) is designed for coastal surveillance and maritime approach missions. It can also be used in other naval operations, such as SAR and fighting against trafficking, piracy or illegal immigration. Furthermore, Patroller-M can support special operations at sea or on land over bodies of water. With payloads adapted to naval missions, Patroller-M will have a maritime surveillance radar for detection on the high seas, plus a Euroflir 410 day/night optronic pod and an AIS receptor to identify ships.
As an option it can be equipped with a satellite link that enables it to operate beyond the radio intervisibility range of 100Nm. Patroller-M will also be able to transmit in real time data from its sensors to a general staff onboard a vessel, for example, a “Tonnerre”-type projection and command ship, or a rapid intervention ship as part of an anti-piracy operation.
The control of its mission can also be transferred to a control/command station onboard a surface ship. NATO interoperability has been shown to be possible using the STANAG 4609 (1) standard, which allows the Patroller to transmit in real time a geo-referenced video stream to NATO command centers.
Proven technologies
The Patroller-M UAV system benefits from the same inherent advantages as the entire Patroller family. It consists of a particularly reliable and robust 1-ton class aircraft, developed by automating a piloted airframe – the German aircraft manufacturer Stemme’s S-15. The advanced aerodynamics of this EASA-certified airframe provide Patroller with high autonomy: from 20 to 30 hours depending on the payload, at a maximum altitude of 25 000ft. The Patroller’s design draws on proven technologies developed by Sagem for its Sperwer Mk.II tactical UAV system (control station, data links, mission avionics, image chain) and the experience gained through operational use of the SDTI Sperwer in Afghanistan over 7 years.
The Patroller UAV that Sagem is exhibiting at Euronaval 2010 is the homeland security ’S’ version (already available for sale). Its flight performance and secure architecture – built on full-triplex avionics – were validated during its 4th test flight campaign in June and July 2010 at the Istres airbase. France’s Ministry of the Interior immediately chose the Patroller-S for a civil security campaign in the country’s southern Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region from August 15 to August 31, 2010. It was successfully used in firefighting operations as part of this.
