Revolutionary multi purpose aerial observation platform launched

The SEEKER is an affordable, cost-effective and truly versatile manned surveillance and reconnaissance platform. The aircraft has been specifically designed for developing countries that have budgetary constraints, and allows government agencies to maintain visible policing and security operations with a platform which is safe as well as easy to operate and maintain. In July 2004 the SEEKER was selected by the Coalition Provisional Authority for deployment with the newly re-established Iraqi Air Force and was deployed immediately on operations with 17 Squadron in the BASRAH Sector. Seabird Aviation Jordan was also contracted to supply training of aircrew and maintenance personnel, as well as full contractor support for the aircraft in theatre. The aircraft is a available with a large variety of observation payloads and is ideal for a wide range of applications beyond purely security and military roles, from pipeline and power line monitoring, through to wildlife and environmental impact monitoring. The SEEKER is assessed to be perfectly matched for civil applications such as crowd control, specifically with the 2010 FIFA World Cup not that far away. The SEEKER has an agile and stealthy profile and so enables its aircrew to approach areas of interest with low risk of detection and report immediately their observations using both line-of-sight and beyond line-of-sight voice communications. The SEEKER has a helicopter-like cockpit with outstanding levels of visibility across the forward hemisphere. Initial cost-estimates following its inaugural flight occurred at the Dubai International Aerospace Exhibition in December 2005 show that acquisition and operating costs for the aircraft are a third of a comparable twin-seater helicopter. According to Ivor Ichikowitz, the executive chairman of the Paramount Group: “This product allows us to expand our service offering, which includes a complete turnkey solution, from analysis, specification and supply to financing, training and support for our customers in Africa and Central Asia,” says Ichikowitz. The SEEKER has a cruising speed between 65 and 112 knots, and can stay airborne for over five hours and loiter over its target, which is key to patrolling pipelines, monitoring power lines and performing border patrol work. In terms of the specifications of the SEEKER, which is produced by Seabird Aviation Jordan, it is powered by a Lycoming O-360-B2C engine, which yields 168 horsepower, driving a Hoffmann fixed-pitch pusher propeller.Contact details:The statement was issued by Channel Communications, on behalf of the Paramount Group.Any media enquiries should be directed to Angelo Coppola on +27 (0) 83 448 1008, or \n angelo@channelcom.co.za