Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum logo
SAGEM Sperwer (Canadian: 31 )

SAGEM CU-161 Sperwer

Source: Kestrel Publications
Sperwer B on its launch rail

The SAGEM Sperwer (Pronounced Spehr-wuhr, Dutch for Sparrowhawk) is an unmanned aerial vehicle manufactured by the French firm SAGEM. The aircraft is piloted remotely and can cruise at altitudes of over 16,000 feet for as long as five hours. It can send back images of targets up to 150 kilometers from its operators on the ground.

Canadian Armed Forces operated the Sperwer in Afghanistan between 2003 and its last mission on 18 April 2009 when it was replaced with the Israeli built IAI Heron. Wikipedia

Wkikpedia Wikipedia SAGEM Sperwer

CASPIR Aircraft Groups:
Canadian AOP (31), Army On Strength (31)
last update: 2021-11-04 16:12:29

Sperwer 161001

s/n
 161001
as/n
 161001
This may have been the unit used for initial training in Canada from September 2003. Deployed to Afghanistan on 29 October 2003, with the UAV Troop of 2 Royal Canadian Horse Artillery Regiment, Petawawa, Ontario. First public flight in Afghanistan on 6 November 2003. Operational in Kabul as late as April 2004. Believed to have returned to Valcartier, Quebec in August 2004. Used for training at CFB Suffield, Alberta in September 2005. Category B damage near Kandahar, Afghanistan on 21 November 2006, when landing air bags deployed shortly after launch. Landed 250 metres from launcher. Investigation focusing on air bag control system, improvements being developed. Category B damaged again at Kandahar on 1 November 2008, appears engine kill button inadvertently pushed during launch. Arrived at Canadian Aviation Museum at Rockcliffe, Ontario by January 2010. Placed on display at the Museum on 23 February 2010. 2021-09-07
   2003-August Order Placed Order placed. 2019-08-20

Sperwer 161002

s/n
 161002
as/n
 161002
Deployed to Afghanistan on 29 October 2003. Category B damage on 20 March 2004, near Kabul, Afghanistan. Was launched on operational mission, failed to climb above 50 feet AGL. Parachute deployed, but did not have time to inflate. Possibility of mis-set carburetor, and resulting power loss at high density altitude. Believed to have returned to Valcartier, Quebec in August 2004. Used for training at CFB Suffield, Alberta in September 2005. Back in Afghanistan when it suffered Category B damage on 6 July 2006, when airbags deployed shortly after launch. Impacted ground 300 metres from launcher. Investigation focusing on possible failure and sand contamination in valve in airbag inflation system. Category B damage on 9 May 2008 at CFB Wainwright, Alberta. Propeller tip contacted launcher during launch, aircraft crashed 50 metres from end of launcher. 2021-09-07
   2003-August Order Placed Order placed. 2019-08-20

Sperwer 161003

s/n
 161003
as/n
 161003
Deployed to Afghanistan on 29 October 2003. Crashed while performing test flight in Afghanistan, as part of granting of flight authority. Parachute failed to deploy at end of flight, turbulence may have played a role. 2021-09-07
   2003-August Order Placed Order placed. 2019-08-20
   2003-November-21 Accident Category A Category A damage after "hard landing" near Kabul, Afghanistan 2019-08-20

Sperwer 161004

s/n
 161004
as/n
 161004
Category C damage on 30 June 2004, near Kabul, Afghanistan. Contact lost near end of night time operational mission. Recovered in emergency mode and landed in a residential area, lightly contacting a power line and coming to rest against the wall of a house. No obvious collateral damage and no injuries were experienced. Damage to the right wing and nose areas. Alternator positive cable found to have abraded on bolt due to incorrect clamp installation, causing short and total electrical failure. Classified as Category C damage. Subsequent investigation found several other maintenance anomalies, report stated "hastening of maintenance training in order to expedite theatre deployment of the UAV troop had a detrimental effect on maintenance quality assurance." Believed to have returned to Valcartier, Quebec in August 2004. 2021-09-07
   2003-August Order Placed Order placed. 2019-08-20

Sperwer 161005

s/n
 161005
as/n
 161005
Deployed to Afghanistan on 29 October 2003. Was practicing autopilot recovery circuits, descent command was issued early on fourth practice approach circuit. Impacted the terrain while in a descending final turn to the inbound track. The air vehicle sustained A category damage. 2021-09-07
   2003-August Order Placed Order placed. 2019-08-20
   2004-January-19 Accident Category A Category A damage after flying into terrain on training mission, near Kabul, Afghanistan. 2019-08-20

Sperwer 161006

s/n
 161006
as/n
 161006
Last of first order for 6 airframes. Operational in Afghanistan by 2006. 2021-09-07
   2003-August Order Placed Order placed. 2019-08-20

Sperwer 161007

s/n
 161007
as/n
 161007
Replacement aircraft, part of second batch ordered c. April 2004. Possibly rebuilt from earlier serial number? Category D damage at CFB Cold Lake, Alberta on 1 May 2005. Aircraft was being used to test maximum link range and recovery accuracy, when the aircraft suffered total electrical failure, resulting in automatic recovery. Category C damage on 14 October 2005, during training mission at Camp Wainwright, Alberta. Drifted after recovery parachute deployed, landed in group of small birch trees, 288 meters from intended touch down point. Operated at that time by the TUAV Flight, made up of personnel from No. 408 (TacHel) Squadron and 5e Regiment d'Artillerie Legere du Canada. Severe damage on 24 October 2006, when engine lost power shortly after launch from Kandahar airport. Carburetor had been replaced a few days earlier. Category B damage at Kandahar on 18 August 2008, when parachute did not fully deploy after normal mission. At the RCAF Museum at CFB Trenton by June 2010. 2021-09-07
   2004 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20

Sperwer 161008

s/n
 161008
as/n
 161008
Replacement aircraft, part of second batch ordered c. April 2004. Possibly rebuilt from earlier serial number? Operational in Afghanistan by 2006. Destroyed at Kandahar airport on 22 November 2007, when parachute did not deploy during recovery sequence. 2021-09-07
   2004 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20

Sperwer 161009

s/n
 161009
as/n
 161009
First aircraft of third batch, ordered in December 2005, deliveries scheduled for mid 2006. Destroyed on 6 May 2006, when parachute did not deploy during recovery from an operational mission at Kandahar airport. Destroyed by post impact fire. Unlike first two batches, this vehicle was in overall grey finish. 2021-09-07
   2006 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20

Sperwer 161010

s/n
 161010
as/n
 161010
Part of third batch, ordered in December 2005, deliveries scheduled for early 2006. Destroyed on 11 January 2007, when engine failed 30 kilometres from Kandahar airport. Initial report indicates fuel pump failure. 2021-09-07
   2006 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20

Sperwer 161011

s/n
 161011
as/n
 161011
Part of third batch, ordered in December 2005, deliveries scheduled for early 2006. 2021-09-07
   2006 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20

Sperwer 161012

s/n
 161012
as/n
 161012
Part of third batch, ordered in December 2005, deliveries scheduled for early 2006. 0000-01-01
   2006 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20

Sperwer 161013

s/n
 161013
as/n
 161013
Part of third batch, ordered in December 2005, deliveries scheduled for early 2006. Operational in Afghanistan by July 2006, in overall light grey scheme. 0000-01-01
   2006 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20

Sperwer 161014

s/n
 161014
as/n
 161014
Probably one of the ex-Danish Sperwers, acquired second hand in September 2006. Destroyed in a crash at Kandahar airport on 24 January 2007, when controls froze during recovery operation after hurried operational launch. Preliminary investigation cites unofficial abbreviated check list being used, due to time pressures. 0000-01-01
   2006 Order Placed order placed 2019-08-20

Sperwer 161015

s/n
 161015
as/n
 161015
Probably one of the ex-Danish Sperwers, acquired second hand in September 2006. 0000-01-01
   2006 Order Placed order placed 2019-08-20

Sperwer 161016

s/n
 161016
as/n
 161016
Probably one of the ex-Danish Sperwers, acquired second hand in September 2006. Operational in Afghanistan by December 2007, in overall grey finish. Category B damage during a launch from Kandahar Airfield on 25 May 2008. Propeller was damaged during launch, foreign objects (tools) suspected on launch rail. 0000-01-01
   2006 Order Placed order placed 2019-08-20

Sperwer 161017

s/n
 161017
as/n
 161017
Probably one of the ex-Danish Sperwers, acquired second hand in September 2006. Category B damage near Kandahar, Afghanistan on 6 April 2008. Engine power dropped shortly after launch, crew initiated emergency recovery, but aircraft hit ground before parachute and airbag fully deployed. Category B damage again at Kandahar on 25 July 2008, ground station equipment faults resulted in hard landing. Destroyed on 25 October 2008, near Kandahar. Engine failure during routine mission lead to emergency landing off field. Airframe scavenged by locals before being recovered. 0000-01-01
   2006 Order Placed order placed 2019-08-20

Sperwer 161018

s/n
 161018
as/n
 161018
Probably one of the ex-Danish Sperwers, acquired second hand in September 2006. Destroyed in Afghanistan on 8 April 2007, when the aircraft departed controlled flight while cruising en route to operational location. Initial report cites alternator failure, resulting in automatic recovery sequence being started. 0000-01-01
   2006 Order Placed order placed 2019-08-20

Sperwer 161019

s/n
 161019
as/n
 161019
Probably one of the ex-Danish Sperwers, acquired second hand in September 2006. Operated at CFB Wainwright, Alberta in May 2007, during Exercise Maple Guardian, in overall grey finish. Destroyed at Kandahar, Afghanistan on 5 March 2008. Failed to climb after launching, struck piece of construction equipment 365 metres from launch site. 0000-01-01
   2006 Order Placed order placed 2019-08-20

Sperwer 161020

s/n
 161020
as/n
 161020
Probably one of the ex-Danish Sperwers, acquired second hand in September 2006. Destroyed in crash at Kandahar airport on 10 July 2007. Crew was performing manual recovery sequence, parachute began deployment at too low an altitude and aircraft was destroyed by impact. 0000-01-01
   2006 Order Placed order placed 2019-08-20

Sperwer 161021

s/n
 161021
as/n
 161021
Probably one of the ex-Danish Sperwers, acquired second hand in September 2006. Category C damage at Kandahar airport on 3 July 2007. Piece of propeller left airframe shortly after launch, parachute did not fully deploy due to low altitude. 0000-01-01
   2006 Order Placed order placed 2019-08-20

Sperwer 161022

s/n
 161022
as/n
 161022
Probably one of the ex-Danish Sperwers, acquired second hand in September 2006. Destroyed near Kandahar Airfield on 5 May 2008. engine lost power right after launch, aircraft struck ground at high speed 10 seconds after launch. 0000-01-01
   2006 Order Placed order placed 2019-08-20

Sperwer 161023

s/n
 161023
as/n
 161023
Probably one of the ex-Danish Sperwers, acquired second hand in September 2006. Category A damage at Kandahar airport on 31 October 2007, when parachute did not deploy during recovery sequence. 0000-01-01
   2006 Order Placed order placed 2019-08-20

Sperwer 161024

s/n
 161024
as/n
 161024
Possibly one of the ex-Danish Sperwers, acquired second hand in September 2006. Category B damage on 22 May 2008, near Kandahar Airfield. Aircraft pitched down and struck ground shortly after launch, blocked pitot tube suspected. 0000-01-01
   2006 Order Placed order placed 2019-08-20

Sperwer 161025

s/n
 161025
as/n
 161025
Possibly one of the ex-Danish Sperwers, acquired second hand in September 2006. Category B damage on 27 March 2008, west of Kandahar airfield. Normal launch, but contact lost while transiting to operational area. Entered safe mode, damaged in parachute landing. 0000-01-01
   2006 Order Placed order placed 2019-08-20

Sperwer 161026

s/n
 161026
as/n
 161026
Possibly one of the ex-Danish Sperwers, acquired second hand in September 2006. Destroyed at 09:00 local on 9 August 2008 near Kandahar Airfield. Pitched abnormally right after parachute deployed for normal landing, struck ground nose down with partially inflated parachute. Parachute misrigging suspected. On display at Air Force Museum in Calgary, Alberta by early 2014. 2014-03-07
   2006 Order Placed order placed 2019-08-20

Sperwer 161027

s/n
 161027
as/n
 161027
Possibly one of the ex-Danish Sperwers, acquired second hand in September 2006. Destroyed on 18 March 2008 at Kandahar, Afghanistan. Apparently lost control on launch, rolled left and pitched down, striking ground at speed. 0000-01-01
   2006 Order Placed order placed 2019-08-20

Sperwer 161028

s/n
 161028
as/n
 161028
Possibly one of the ex-Danish Sperwers, acquired second hand in September 2006. Category B damage during landing at Kandahar Airfield on24 October 2008. Main parachute deployed too slowly, was not full inflated when aircraft struck ground. Airframe placed on display at the Greenwood Aviation Museum at CFB Greenwood in May 2014 is a composite assembled by the Museum using parts from 161028 and at least one other airframe, and a civil Rotax engine purchased through Kijiji. 2014-08-09
   2006 Order Placed order placed 2019-08-20

Sperwer 161029

s/n
 161029
as/n
 161029
Possibly one of the ex-Danish Sperwers, acquired second hand in September 2006. 0000-01-01
   2006 Order Placed order placed 2019-08-20

Sperwer 161030

s/n
 161030
as/n
 161030
Possibly one of the ex-Danish Sperwers, acquired second hand in September 2006. Destroyed near Kandahar on 22 august 2008. Apparent engine failure in flight, emergency descent started. Aircraft reported burning on the ground shortly afterwards. Remains scavenged by locals, no recovery attempted. 0000-01-01
   2006 Order Placed order placed 2019-08-20

Sperwer 161031

s/n
 161031
as/n
 161031
Possibly one of the ex-Danish Sperwers, acquired second hand in September 2006. Destroyed near Kandahar on 6 November 2008. Engine failure during mission resulted in emergency descent from low altitude, destroyed by post impact fire. 0000-01-01
   2006 Order Placed order placed 2019-08-20

© Canadian Warplane Heritage 2024

To search on any page:
PC — Ctrl-F
Mac — ⌘-F
Mobile — or …