The Eurosatory 2024 International Fair, held in Paris, features not only local and international companies as exhibitors but also military forces showcasing their latest armored vehicles and drones at various stands. This was evident with the French Army, which, in collaboration with SAFRAN, presented their new tactical unmanned aerial vehicle, the Patroller.
This new UAV stems from an agreement formalized in 2016 between the French Army, through the Directorate General of Armaments (DGA), and Safran to replace the Sperwer UAVs. The contract, valued at US$ 342 million, involves the delivery of 14 drones to equip artillery regiments, with the first five units delivered by 2023 along with completion of test flights.
As previously reported, the Patroller can operate for 15 hours at an altitude of 16,000 feet, with a line-of-sight range of 180 km and a maximum speed of 200 km/h. It is equipped with Safran’s Euroflir 410 stabilized multi-spectral imaging generator and Leonardo Electronics’ PicoSAR synthetic aperture radar (SAR) with ground moving target indication (GMTI), utilizing active electronically scanned array (AESA) technology.
Furthermore, for units requiring it, the unmanned aerial vehicle provides a capability that can be combined with firepower to neutralize the enemy. It also possesses capabilities to detect, track, and acquire targets, as well as to assess a situation before taking any action. Additionally, it can evaluate damage afterwards and contribute to three-dimensional mapping.
Moreover, the presentation of the Patroller at Eurosatory 2024 went beyond just showcasing it; Safran introduced an expanded range of additional capabilities stemming from its development. In line with current requirements, the French company unveiled a new long-range loitering munition launcher pod, transforming the Patroller into a platform for deploying other UAVs.
Also in accordance with the original requirements, Safran has enhanced surveillance, reconnaissance, and intelligence capabilities by incorporating a new multi-sensor pod that can be mounted underneath the drone’s wings, complementing the previously mentioned stabilized sensors.
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