Sagem… Flying For The French (UAS/UAV)

[SatNews] French defense procurement agency DGA has awarded Sagem (Safran group) a contract for the modernization and expansion of the French army’s fleet of Sperwer tactical drones and associated equipment. The contract covers the following:

• Three Sperwer drones, to be equipped with Sagem’s new Euroflir 350+ optronic observation system
• An option on five more Sperwer drones
• Sagem’s Remote Video Terminals (RVT), along with the modernization of the RVTs already delivered under a previous contract signed in 2009

Developed and produced by Sagem, the RVT comprises a touch screen and portable transmitter-receiver, either a manpack version or installed in a vehicle. The RVT is used by forward observers or front-line troops. It provides a high-resolution, real-time display of geo-referenced images sent by the drone, against a digital map background. The RVT features a modular, open and scalable design, and can operate at different frequencies and with different waveforms. This latest contract will bring the number of Sperwer drones produced by Sagem’s Montluçon plant in France to 130. The French army’s Sperwer drones have operated in Afghanistan since the end of 2008, carrying out missions for both French and NATO forces, including intelligence, route reconnaissance and artillery guidance.