Sagem completes flight test of Patroller drone system

Sagem has successfully completed flight testing of the long-endurance Patroller drone system in a multi-sensor, multi-mission configuration.

During the 18th test flight in the series, the Patroller drone was equipped with a new version of the Sagem Euroflir 350 gyrostabilised optronic pod, including an HDTV channel, third generation HD infrared channel and a laser rangefinder.

The drone is also equipped with a distress beacon detector and Automatic Identification System (AIS) receiver to enable real-time supervising of maritime traffic over a wide area during the trials.

The test validated Patroller’s capability to fuse information from different sensors and to transmit them to a command & control centre for coastal surveillance.

Earlier, the system also validated its ability to transmit video streams in the Nato Stanag 4609 standard and is currently deployed by the French Army’s SDTI Sperwer drones.

The tests also demonstrated Patroller mission system’s ability to integrate new payloads as well as complementary capabilities of the optronic and electronic sensors in developing tactical situations.

The one-ton class drone, Patroller is based on European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certified aircraft to meet long-endurance surveillance requirements for defence and homeland security forces, as well as inter-ministerial missions with reasonable operating costs.

Developed for coastal surveillance and homeland security missions, the Patroller system features modular design to enable pod-mounted payloads integration for flights lasting from 20-30hrs at a maximum altitude of 25,000ft.