THOMSON-CSF IS to market Bombardier's Canadair CL-227 Sentinel rotary-wing unmanned air-vehicle (UAV) in Europe, for military and paramilitary roles. The initial target is the French navy, which has a requirement for a ship-based UAV. Bombardier's Canadair Defence Systems division plans to demonstrate the CL-227 to the French navy later this year.
The French company will be prime contractor for CL-227s sold in Europe, responsible for equipping the UAV with payloads for missions, including drug interdiction, maritime patrol, search and rescue and electronic warfare.
Bombardier, meanwhile, has teamed with Lear Astronics to offer the CL-227 for the US Department of Defense's Manoeuvre UAV programme. Santa Monica, California-based Lear will be prime contractor, UAV system-integrator and avionics supplier.
Source: Flight International
