Seabird Seeker

Operational History

Two SB7L-360A Seekers were purchased by the United States in 2004 in response to an initial requirement for eight fixed wing observation aircraft to equip the new Iraqi Air Force under the command of the Coalition Provisional Authority. The aircraft were received into service on 29 July from Seabird Aviation Jordan, and from 7 August Iraqi pilots received initial training on the Seekers. The two aircraft were airlifted by the United States Air Force to Basrah Airport on 18 August. The post-invasion IqAF's first flying squadron, No. 70 Reconnaissance Squadron was raised to operate the Seekers on patrol missions to monitor critical infrastructure such as oil pipelines and electricity transmission assets, as well as national borders. Initial missions saw coalition personnel accompany Iraqi pilots in a training capacity. On September 15, the Iraqi Air Force flew its first solo mission, crewed by two Iraqi pilots to provide intelligence on an oil pipeline spill. Although further procurement of the type did not eventuate after the selection of the SAMA CH2000, Seekers YI-101 and YI-102 continued to operate throughout the conflict successfully, providing capabilities, including real-time feeds of observations to ground forces, night surveillance and carrying digital video equipment to assist with target identification. The Seekers remained in service when the squadron relocated to Talil Air Base in 2010.

Variants

SB7L-235

Initial prototype equipped with Lycoming O-235. Only one aircraft built.

SB7L-360A

Lycoming O-360 powered production variant.

SB7L-360A-2

Lycoming IO-390 210 hp variant

SB7L-360A-3 ROAMES

Short for Remote Observation Automated Modelling Economic Simulation. Two Lycoming IO-390-A1B6 powered variants built for Ergon Energy featuring upgraded avionics, Garmin G500 EFIS cockpit. The aircraft is capable of fully automated flight, with the pilot able to intervene at any time. Marketed by Seabird as a transitional "optionally piloted" aircraft as an alternative to Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.

Civil

 Australia

Ergon Energy - Two Seeker ROAMES variants used for geospatial modeling.

 Ghana

Ghana Police Service - Believed to operate 4 seekers acquired from South Africa.

 South Africa

South African National Parks - A Seeker aircraft is used to patrol the Krueger National Park to prevent Rhinoceros poaching.

 United States

New Mexico State Police - Seeker Aircraft America donated one aircraft for law enforcement duties. As of 2014, under the agreement, this Seeker is used to demonstrate real-world applications to potential buyers.

Military

 Iraq

Iraqi Air Force - Two units delivered in 2004

 Jordan

Royal Jordanian Air Force - 6 Seekers operated in reconnaissance role.

 Tanzania

Tanzania Air Force Command - An unconfirmed number of Seekers (believed to be between 1 and 4) are operated by the Tanzania Air Force Command. The aircraft are equipped with an electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor turret for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

 Yemen

Yemeni Border Guards - Acquisition of 12 Seekers as part of an assistance package from the United States, used for border protection duties to prevent drug and arms smuggling, as well as illegal border crossings by terrorist militants.

Specifications (Seabird Seeker ER SB7L-360A)

Data from

General characteristics

Crew: 2

Length: 23 ft 0 in (7.01 m)

Wingspan: 36 ft 4 in (11.07 m)

Height: 8 ft 2 in (2.49 m)

Wing area: 141 ft² (13.1 m²)

Aspect ratio: 9.36:1

Empty weight: 1301 lb (590 kg)

Gross weight: 1997 lb (897 kg)

Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming O-360-B2C, 160 hp (119 kW) each

Performance

Cruise speed: 129 mph (202 km/h)

Range: 517 miles (832 km)

Endurance: 6.9 hours

Armament

2 × underwing hardpoints

2 pods of rockets

2 cannon pods