Second Afghanistan campaign for Canadian Forces Sperwer CU161 UAVs
Paris – April 20, 2006 -- Since the beginning of March, the Canadian Forces’ Sperwer CU161 UAVs have been used in the Kandahar region for the benefit of Afghanistan’s operational forces. The first flights in their operational missions were carried out successfully, with excellent availability.
This is the second time the system has been deployed – it was used successfully in the country in 2003 and 2004 as part of international stabilization operations.
In this new deployment, the Sperwer CU161 UAVs operate daily for reconnaissance, information-gathering and real-time situation-awareness missions.
The Department of National Defense decided to renew its confidence in Sagem Défense Sécurité by notifying Oerlikon Canada (a partner of Sagem Défense Sécurité) early this year of its purchase of additional UAVs and maintenance equipment to reinforce its deployment in Afghanistan.
The Canadian Forces have demonstrated in Afghanistan that the Sperwer CU161 system is capable of being projected in a theater devoid of infrastructure and runways, and under severe conditions (i.e. launched from a high-altitude plateau in extreme heat in Kabul in 2003 and 2004).
Developed by Sagem Défense Sécurité and manufactured in its Montluçon plant, the Sperwer UAVs are remotely controlled aircraft with a 4.2m wingspan, containing high-performance optronics. They are launched by catapult and can fly for several hours, day and night. Operators control the aircraft from a ground control station.
In addition to Canada, the Sperwer system has been acquired following international bidding by five countries: the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, France and Greece.
As the manufacturer of the Sperwer tactical UAVs, Sagem Défense Sécurité brings with it its knowledge of the technologies that make up the UAV systems’ core: navigation and flight control, visible and infrared gyrostabilized optronics, data and video transmission, mission information technology and systems integration. Added to this, is its experience in operating such systems.
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About Sagem Défense Sécurité
Sagem Défense Securité is a high-technology company in the SAFRAN Group. As a leading European defense and security electronics company in Europe, its business covers three main fields: navigation and aeronautics systems, where it is the world leader in helicopter flight control; optronics and air-land systems, where it is the European leader in surveillance and fire-control optronics; and the field of security, where it is the world leader in fingerprint-based biometrics.
Its equipment and integrated systems are used worldwide, helping to ensure air transport safety, secure data transmission, personal security and governmental defense capabilities at the highest level. Through the SAFRAN Group, Sagem Défense Sécurité is present on all continents.
For further information: www.safran-group.com and www.sagem-ds.com
Press contact:
Sagem Défense Sécurité
Philippe Wodka-Gallien
Press attaché
Tel.:+33 (0)1 58 11 19 49
email : philippe.wodka-gallien@sagem.com
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