By Emma Kelly in Perth
Seabird Aviation Australia will ship its first Seeker SB7L-360A surveillance aircraft to the USA this month as part of the Queensland company's efforts to break into the Americas.
The Seeker is a fixed-wing, two-seater, powered by a Lycoming 0-360 engine. It has a helicopter-style cockpit, an 880km (475nm) range and can fly at low altitude and slow speed, making it ideal for low-level observation work such as law enforcement, border patrol and powerline inspection.
The aircraft will be shipped to Seabird's North American joint venture partner, Seabird Aviation America, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, which was established last year. The aircraft will be demonstrated throughout the region to potential customers following interest in the two-seater, says Peter Adams, managing director of Seabird Aviation Australia. The aircraft will be demonstrated primarily to organisations involved in border patrol, homeland security and police forces.
Over the next 10 years the manufacturer expects a market for 800 aircraft, which will make North America its biggest market, says Adams.
Seabird has for many years been marketing the Seeker, but has achieved sales success in the last few years. In addition to being manufactured in Queensland, a joint venture company in Jordan, Seabird Aviation Jordan, manufactures the Seeker for the Middle East market. Two aircraft are operating in Iraq with the Iraqi air force, with additional orders outstanding. The Australian company is building the twelfth aircraft, while the Jordan facility is on its eighth aircraft.
Seabird is also planning a number of developments, including working on a four/five-seat version of the aircraft in response to customer interest. That version is 18 months to two years away, says Adams.
Source: Flight International
