Airborne surveillance isn't just a military role

Having made its debut at Dubai's Eighth International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, Seabird Aviation Jordan L.L.C. gained significant interest from a range of commercial, security and military aircraft operators.

Manufactured in Jordan, with a helicopter style cabin and a conventional fixed wing aircraft body, the SB7L-360 SEEKER design allows maximum visibility and stable flight, even at low levels.

The aircraft has excellent flight handling characteristics and very low vibration levels and audible signature, which is obviously an advantage when undertaking surveillance activities.

As well as the obvious military applications, such surveillance activities may be undertaken by commercial organisations for remote infrastructure examination for example, and by internal security and police forces for everything from surveillance of traffic to terrorist activities.

The piston engine and propeller are mounted above and behind the wing and this configuration permits a wide range of surveillance system sensors to be mounted below the fuselage such that there is unobstructed forward vision. Possible sensor payloads include infrared and colour imaging systems.

Seabird supplied two SEEKER aircraft, fitted with surveillance systems from FLIR Systems of the USA and advanced communications equipment, to the Iraq Air Force in August 2004.

Soon after, operations commenced in the Basra area for border, coastal and oil infrastructure surveillance. The contract with the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) in Iraq totalled $2.3 million including the two aircraft, pilot training and mechanical and logistical support.