General Information

Serial #

315

Part Number

1

Total Parts

6

AKA

pilotless airplane; remotely piloted vehicle; UAV; remotely operated aircraft

Patents

N/A

General Description

Predom. aluminum alloy; steel fasteners; plexiglass windows; plastic, fibreglass & wood components. Synthetic fabric lifting harness with velcro (polyester) fasteners on top of fuselage.

Dimensions

Note: These reflect the general size for storage and are not necessarily representative of the object's true dimensions.

Length

438.0 cm

Width

368.0 cm

Height

118.0 cm

Thickness

N/A

Weight

N/A

Diameter

N/A

Volume

N/A

Lexicon

Group

Aviation

Category

Aircraft

Sub-Category

N/A

Manufacturer

AKA

Sagem

Country

France

State/Province

Unknown

City

Paris

Context

Country

Afghanistan

State/Province

Unknown

Period

This drone was used by Canadian Forces from 2003 to 2009.

Canada

As per acquisition proposal "The French-made Sagem Sperwer was the first UAV used in combat by the Canadian Forces, between 2003 and 2009. Indeed, it is the first UAV to go into service with the Canadian military. It should be noted that the Sperwer’s service in Afghanistan, the first combat operation launched by the Canadian Forces since the Korean War half a century earlier, was marred by some controversy. Acquired in a bit of a hurry, it proved to be something of a disappointment."

Function

Used by Canadian Forces as a replacement for foot or helicopter patrols to conduct military reconnaissance & surveillance over ground positions with aerial camera in extremely hazardous environments, at relatively low altitudes. Also used for tactical support of front line troops, intelligence gathering and target acquisition.

Technical

As per acquisition proposal "Used in ever increasing numbers by the armed forces of numerous western countries, including Canada, Unmanned / Uninhabited Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have already begun to change aerial warfare as we know it. They may very well all but revolutionize it before too long."

Area Notes

Unknown

Details

Markings

Lettering on adhesive decals on both sides of fuselage near nose section reads: "Canada"; lettering on adhesive decals on both sides of fuselage at centre reads: "161001"; lettering on adhesive decals on both sides of fuselage near tail section reads: "SAGEM"; lettering on mfr. plate on port side of fuselage reads: "SAGEM SA/27 RUE LEBLANC/PARIS 15/F6151/AIR VEHICLE EQUIPPED SPCAN/MSN 1550-14-553-0709/SN 315/21237827-01-02/AM [blank]"

Missing

Hatch on port side; no air bags.

Finish

Top is predom. painted dark green; black lettering; yellow decals with black lettering; medium brown stripes on top of wings; bottom painted white; dark green lifting harness.

Decoration

Canadian Forces (Air) roundel on both wing tops.