Sagem and Stemme have successfully carried out the first series of flight tests for the Patroller long-endurance surveillance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system.

The new dual-UAV system can perform long-endurance defence and security surveillance missions and can carry out territorial protection, border and coastal surveillance and rescue missions in civilian airspace.

The test campaign comprised eight flights, including several endurance flights ending with a final 10-hour flight.

The tests demonstrated the UAV’s range of performances, and capability to carry out long duration missions.

Take-off, flight control, automatic landing and operation of the image-intelligence payload were also demonstrated during the tests.

The Patroller can fly autonomously for 30 hours reaching an altitude of 25,000ft at a maximum speed of 300km/h. It is fitted with a gyrostabilised optronic observation system and a synthetic aperture radar pod.

The long endurance surveillance platform is expected to be qualified in 2010.

Sagem, a high-tech company in the Safran Group offers solutions and services in optronics, avionics, electronics and software.

Stemme provides high-end light aircraft for sports and utility markets.