The long-range MALE⁽¹⁾ interim UAV⁽²⁾ system SIDM⁽³⁾ flying at medium altitude and composed of three air elements, associated ground stations and communication systems, was delivered to the French Air Force on 3 June 2008 following an initial flight carried out in France in September 2006. The Air Force subsequently named the system Harfang, after a snow owl from the far North possessing highly developed vision that is an emblematic bird for our cousins in Quebec. Since 3 February 2009, Harfangs have been carrying out operational missions over Afghanistan from the Bagram air base.

Long-Range UAVs

Long-range UAVs can stay airborne for a day or more, ensure surveillance of zones located several thousand miles away by both night and day and transmit their detected data to intelligence networks and operational command forces in continuous mode. Their sensors are complementary, comprising synthetic aperture/moving target indication radars (SAR/MTI), turret-mounted EO/IR optronic units, broadband electronic receivers providing data to imagery (IMINT) and electronic (ELINT) intelligence networks. The optronic equipment possesses a ground aiming via laser function.

Those UAVs are linked, via line of sight or satellite-based high-rate radio links, to their ground station that ensures their operation and the retrieval of data. They can be grouped into HALE⁽⁴⁾ vehicles flying above commercial airline flight paths and MALE vehicles carrying out their missions at lower altitudes. The long-range capacity of these subsonic UAVs is achieved with the use of extremely long wings, high-efficiency single-engine power plant and high flight altitude.