MBLE Épervier

The MBLE Épervier (English: Sparrowhawk) was a 1970s Belgian battlefield reconnaissance system which included an X-5 air vehicle, a launcher and a drone control centre. It served with the Belgian Army until 1999.

Épervier
Role Battlefield reconnaissance drone
National origin Belgium
Manufacturer Manufacture Belge De Lampes Et De Matériel Electronique
Primary user Belgian Army

Design and development

Originally the Épervier system was designed to meet a NATO requirement and in July 1969 the Belgian Government decided to fund the development programme, a cooperation contract with Manufacture Belge De Lampes Et De Matériel Electronique (MBLE)(fr, nl) was signed in early 1971. Early prototypes of the drone (designated X-1 to X-4) were flown to prove the concept and at the end of the 1972 in to 1973 the system underwent an operational evaluation, it proved an ability to photograph a target up to 70 km (43 miles) away in either guided or programmed mode.

The X-5 air vehicle is an unmanned monoplane drone powered by a Lucas TJ 125 turbojet, and built under contract by Fairey SA. It has a truncated delta wing with endplate fins and a central fin. The X-5 can carry 70mm day or night cameras and infra-red line-scanning equipment which can transmit real-time data.

The launcher is a short orientable ramp, the drone is recovered by parachute. The Drone Control Centre has all the equipment to for guiding and tracking the air vehicle. The system also has a mobile photographic processing and interpretation unit.

Operational history

Following further evaluation and testing the Épervier entered service with the Belgian Army in 1977 and served until 1999.

Operators
 Belgium

Specifications (X-5)

Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1973-74[1]

General characteristics

  • Length: 2.38 m (7 ft 9.75 in)
  • Wingspan: 1.72 m (5 ft 7.75 in)
  • Height: 0.92 m (3 ft 0.25 in)
  • Gross weight: 142 kg (313 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Lucas TJ 125 turbojet , 0.50 kN (114 lbf) thrust

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 500 km/h (312 mph, 271 kn)
  • Endurance: 25+ minutes
  • Service ceiling: 1,830 m (6,000 ft)

See also

Related lists

References

Notes
  1. Taylor 1973, p. 506

Bibliography
Wikimedia Commons has media related to MBLE Epervier.
  • Taylor, John W.R., ed. (1973). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1973-74. London, United Kingdom: Jane's Yearbooks. ISBN 0-354-00117-5.
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