Spaitech SPARROW LE

Spaitech SPARROW LE History

The SPARROW LE is a lightweight, compact Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR) drone designed, developed, and produced by Spaitech of Spain. The concern is responsible for a complete line-up of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAVs) available worldwide, each with unique capabilities and proven reliability. The SPARROW LE features an all-electric drive, glider-like mainplanes for exceptional lift-versus-drag qualities, and "V-tail" tailplane arrangement, and centers its optics set under the fuselage in conventional fashion.

The system has long-endurance for a UAS of this class and sports qualities that include low procurement costs, ease-of-operation, and versatility. Optics are gyro-stabilized and can support general camera function (video, still photography) as well as thermal imaging. Like other Spaitech products, the UAS can also be equipped with a dosimeter for measuring radioactivity.

The 3. 0-meter-wide SPARROW LE can fly for up to four hours out to a range of 155 miles up to an altitude of 16,405 feet. Online transmission is out to 12. 4 miles. Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) of the system is listed at 15. 4 lb. The all-electric drive is used to power a multi-bladed propeller unit fitted to the nose, is eco-friendly, and produces far less operating noise than a conventionally-fueled engine. Cruising speeds can reach up to 62 mph.

The aircraft is launched simply by hand by the operator with its landing aided by a parachute recovery arrangement.

The complete kit includes the Sparrow LE unit itself (up to three can be networked), the hardened-case Ground Control Unit (GCU), tracker-equipped, tripod-mounted antenna complex, optics set, spare parts, and carrying cases / bags.

Beyond its obvious military value (reconnaissance / scouting, artillery spotting / redirection, SPECOPS), the Sparrow LE can be used in civilian and industry-minded circles covering law enforcement, border enforcement, maritime law enforcement, engineering support, Search and Rescue (SAR), and the like.

Spaitech SPARROW LE Specification

BASICS

Service Year

2021

Origin

Spain

Status

ACTIVE

In Active Service.

Crew

0

UNMANNED

Production

500

MANUFACTURER(S)

Spaitech - Spain

OPERATORS

Spain

ROLES

Close-Air Support (CAS)

Developed to operate in close proximity to active ground elements by way of a broad array of air-to-ground ordnance and munitions options.

Special-Mission: Search & Rescue (SAR)

Ability to locate and extract personnel from areas of potential harm or peril (i. e. downed airmen in the sea).

Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR), Scout

Surveil ground targets / target areas to assess environmental threat levels, enemy strength, or enemy movement.

Special Forces

Serving Special Forces / Special Operations elements and missions.

Unmanned Capability

Aircraft inherently designed (or later developed) with an unmanned capability to cover a variety of over-battlefield roles.

NOTABLE QUALITIES

ALL-ELECTRIC

Design utilizes an all-electric powerplant for drive power.

RUGGED AIRFRAME

Inherent ability of airframe to take considerable damage.

HIGH-SPEED PERFORMANCE

Can accelerate to higher speeds than average aircraft of its time.

HIGH-ALTITUDE PERFORMANCE

Can reach and operate at higher altitudes than average aircraft of its time.

EXTENDED RANGE PERFORMANCE

Capability to travel considerable distances through onboard fuel stores.

SUPER PERFORMANCE

Design covers the three all-important performance categories of speed, altitude, and range.

MARITIME OPERATION

Ability to operate over ocean in addition to surviving the special rigors of the maritime environment.

UNMANNED OPERATION

Design features ability to fly sans pilot, actions controlled onboard through programming and / or ground-based operator.

AUTONOMOUS OPERATION

Design features autonomous flight operations made possible through onboard artificial intelligence or pre-programming.

CAMERA EQUIPMENT

Payload supports photographic equipment providing still and / or real-time image / video results.

DIMENSIONS & WEIGHTS

Width/Span

9. 8 ft

(3. 00 m)

Empty Wgt

15 lb

(7 kg)

MTOW

15 lb

(7 kg)

Wgt Diff

+0 lb

(+0 kg)

MAINPLANE STRUCTURE

monoplane / high-mounted / straight

Monoplane

Design utilizes a single primary wing mainplane; this represent the most popular mainplane arrangement.

High-Mounted

Mainplanes are mounted at the upper-most position allowable along the dorsal line of the fuselage.

Straight

The planform involves use of basic, straight mainplane members.

(Structural descriptors pertain to the base Spaitech SPARROW LE production variant)

POWER & PERFORMANCE

Installed:

1 x Electric powerpack driving multi-bladed propeller unit at the nose.

Max Speed

68 mph

(110 kph | 59 kts)

Cruise Speed

53 mph

(85 kph | 46 kts)

Max. Speed Diff

+16 mph

(+25 kph | 13 kts)

Ceiling

16,404 ft

(5,000 m | 3 mi)

Range

155 mi

(250 km | 463 nm)

MACH Regime (Sonic)

Sub

Trans

Super

Hyper

HiHyper

ReEntry

RANGES (MPH) Subsonic: <614mph | Transonic: 614-921 | Supersonic: 921-3836 | Hypersonic: 3836-7673 | Hi-Hypersonic: 7673-19180 | Reentry: >19030

ARMAMENT

None. Payload restricted to camera / optics / sensor fits.

VARIANTS

SPARROW LE - Base Series Name.