| Patroller | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Safran Patroller displayed at the Salon du Bourget (Paris, 2019) | |
| Role | MALE UAV |
| National origin | France |
| Manufacturer | Safran Electronics & Defense |
| Designer | Safran Electronics & Defense Stemme |
| First flight | 10 June 2009 |
| Introduction | 2023 |
| Primary user | French Army |
| Developed from | Stemme ASP S15 |
The Patroller is a French medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle developed and manufactured by Safran Electronics & Defense (formerly by SAGEM). The airframe is based on the Stemme ASP S15 motor glider.
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The first flight was in June 2009 at Kemijarvi in Finland; it was shown at the 2009 Paris Air Show. [1] The Patroller is a Medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (MALE) by the definition of the NATO. [2]
It completed another series of flight tests in July 2010, which demonstrated it is capable of missions lasting 20–30 hours; it can carry a 250 kg payload (including 80 kg under each wing). [3] The Patroller will carry out imaging and surveillance trials in southern France, detecting forest fires. [4]
The Patroller uses the same ground control station as Sperwer II. A Ku-band datalink is used; range is limited to 200 km (line of sight). [1]
Safran Electronics & Defense and Egyptian aircraft factory AOI have signed a collaboration agreement concerning the Patroller UAV. AOI-Aircraft Factory could handle final assembly of the drones and will develop a dedicated training center in Egypt to train staff for the operation and maintenance of the drone systems. [5]
The cost of the first 14 Patrollers for the French Army in 2016, including 12 years maintenance, was €300 million. [6]
