Indian Defence Review

Patroller

At the Defexpo India 2014 international defense show in New Delhi, Sagem (Safran) is showcasing a range of systems and equipment designed to meet the most demanding needs of today’s armed forces: intelligence, long-range precision strikes, surveillance, border protection, high-intensity combat and guerrilla warfare.

Sagem takes an extremely dynamic approach to develop the innovative solutions that deliver the performance needed for successful military operations. The company’s products and services reflect five main areas of expertise: navigation, observation, guidance, engagement and protection.

Sagem is exhibiting several systems for the first time at Defexpo 2014:

Soldier modernization system. Sagem produces the FELIN (Fantassin à Équipements et Liaisons Intégrés) integrated equipment suite for the French army, which has already taken delivery of these systems for 14 regiments. Based on this experience, Sagem is developing a new, more highly integrated and customized solution for infantry soldiers. This innovative, compact, modular and wireless solution calls on scalable communications and command technologies. Its C4I component features the latest-generation IP MANET radio and intuitive C2. Furthermore, its open architecture facilitates the integration of other equipment, such as binoculars, aiming sights, C2 applications, etc.

MOST (Mât Optronique de Surveillance Terrestre), an optronic mast for land surveillance. Operated from a vehicle or shelter, MOST provides panoramic surveillance capacity under armored protection. It calls on the high performance of its main sensor, the JIM LR long-range multifunction infrared binoculars, mounted on the top of a telescopic mast. The compact, combat-proven JIM LR combines a number of functions in a single package: thermal imager, GPS, rangefinder and north seeker, enabling it to detect and locate targets out to several kilometers. The system also offers day/night image fusion, panoramic display and automatic threat detection.

Patroller^TM tactical drone. Patroller reflects Sagem’s long experience with tactical drones, especially nine years of continuous operation of its Sperwer system in Afghanistan. Patroller can fly endurance missions lasting 20 hours, based on a certified airframe with a payload capacity of 250 kg. It is fitted with Sagem’s own Euroflir high-resolution optronic pod, a receiver to track maritime traffic and other sensors, especially a Comint package to eavesdrop on and locate communications. Its ground station is interoperable with military networks and civil infrastructures.

Sigma 30N. This new version of the Sigma 30 laser gyro navigation system was purpose-designed for artillery applications demanding high precision and robustness. The Sigma 30N’s high performance is based on the integration of digital ring laser gyros with a large perimeter. It plays a key role in the firing accuracy of the French army’s Caesar guns, proven in operation. The Sigma 30 family is in service with Indian artillery units and several NATO forces.

Epsilon 20 land navigation system, and Sigma 20M gyro-compass for naval applications. Sagem continues to extend its family of inertial systems with two new navigation systems that combine performance, compact design, robustness and cost-competitiveness: Epsilon 20 and Sigma 20M. Both of these systems use a breakthrough inertial technology, the hemispherical resonator gyro (HRG), patented by Sagem. The Epsilon 20 land navigator covers the requirements of supply vehicles, geo-information and satcom applications. The Sigma 20M gyro-compass is intended for demanding naval applications. It meets military standards and complements the laser gyro-based Sigma 40 family, the leader in its market.

AASM Hammer SBU-54 Laser missile. This version of the AASM (Armement Air-Sol Modulaire) modular air-to-ground weapon features a laser seeker in addition to the inertial and GPS guidance offered in the standard version. With a range exceeding 60 km, the AASM Hammer is an agile weapon that can be fired largely off-axis, day or night, under any weather conditions, including at low altitude. The AASM SBU-54 Laser can engage moving land or naval targets to within a meter. The AASM is also available in inertial/GPS and infrared versions. The AASM SBU-54 Laser missile was officially qualified by the French Ministry of Defense on June 14, 2013. The AASM Hammer is in service with Rafale fighter squadrons, which have successfully deployed this weapon in Afghanistan, Libya and Mali.

Sagem has supplied high-performance optronic and navigation systems for a number of defense programs in India, including armored vehicles, artillery, surface vessels and submarines, helicopters and combat aircraft.