Press Releases

For immediate release
24 February 2010

An unmanned arrival at the Canada Aviation Museum

Ottawa—In an unveiling ceremony on February 23rd, the Canadian Forces (CF) presented one of its retired Sperwer reconnaissance aircraft of the type used by the Canadian Forces in Afghanistan to the Canada Aviation Museum. The CU-161 Sperwer is an example of the new wave of technology supporting Canadian Forces and was only recently retired from active service. The last official flight of a Canadian Forces Sperwer took place on April 18th, 2009. The aircraft being presented to the Museum is the CU-161 tail number 001.

The French-made Sagem Sperwer was the first unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) used in combat by the Canadian Forces and was in active service between 2003 and 2009. The CU-161 Sperwer is used in an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) role in support of ground forces. They were in use in the Afghanistan theatre of operations over a period of approximately 45 months, during which time they flew more than 1 300 missions.

In recent years, there has been increasing use made of UAVs of various types in places like Bosnia, Macedonia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan, mainly for reconnaissance. The Sperwer, acquired by the Canadian Forces, is an example of a family of UAVs known as Tactical UAVs (TUAVs). They are used in the most hazardous environments, at relatively low altitudes and in support of front line troops.

The Canada Aviation Museum is one of six Canadian museums to acquire a Sagem Sperwer from the Canadian Forces. The Museum was the site for an exclusive unveiling ceremony in recognition of its role as steward of the national collection. This new acquisition for the Museum will be used to tell the story of the important work being done by UAV technology in providing real-time ISR support for the Canadian Forces and the evolving role of unmanned vehicles in the future of aviation. This unveiling ceremony also coincided with National Aviation Day and the Canada Aviation Museum Career Day.

The Canada Aviation Museum is Canada’s finest aviation museum with an internationally renowned aeronautical collection. The Museum, a component of the Canada Science and Technology Museum Corporation, is located at the intersection of Aviation and Rockcliffe Parkways, just 10 minutes from Parliament Hill.

- 30 -

General information: 613 993-2010 or 1 800 463-2038

Media Contact:
Elizabeth Millaire
Communications & Marketing
613-991-3834
emillaire@technomuses.ca