Hoshea
JF-Expert Member
- Jan 24, 2012
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The Tanzanian People's Defence Force Air Wing has received into service the Seabird SB7L-360 Seeker intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft, a music video posted on the internet has revealed. The video, which shows local musicians singing in front of items of Tanzanian military hardware, shows a Seeker aircraft with the serial number JW-9704.
This suggests that at least four such aircraft may have been received. Built by Seabird Australia and Seabird Jordan, the Seeker is also in military service with Iraq and is set to be fielded by Yemen. Its high-wing monoplane and pusher-propeller configuration afford the two-man crew excellent forward and downwards vision, and its 15,250 ft service ceiling and minimum loitering speed of only 65 kt (120 km/h, 75 mph) means it can remain high overhead an area of interest for extended periods.
The latest version of the aircraft features a 180 hp Vantage 360 fuel- injected engine, and improved propeller to provide increased thrust, range, and endurance over earlier models, while reducing the fuel consumption and noise signature. An improved cooling system also enables the aircraft to operate in the higher temperatures of Africa and the Middle East. Other improvements include the fitting of ballistic protection for the crew, a cockpit compatible with night- vision goggles, and a flares-based countermeasures system.
The Seeker is also known to have two underwing hardpoints for the carriage of munitions and/or sensors. It is not known what, if any, such improvements the Tanzanian Seekers are fitted with, except that the aircraft shown in the video features an electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor turret, most likely the FLIR Systems 8500 as fitted to Seeker aircraft operated by Iraq.
COMMENT Prior to this, Tanzania was not believed to field any intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft, with the defence force's inventory being made up almost entirely of Chinese-built jets, trainers, and transport aircraft. However, the central African country has been increasingly affected by radical Islamist organisations such as Ansar Muslim Youth Centre (AMYC),
Jumuiya ya Taasisi za Kiislam, Jumuiya ya Uamsho na Mihadhara ya Kiislam (known as Uamsho), Al-Shabaab in Tanzania, and Ansar al-Sunnah. As in Iraq and Yemen, the Seabird Seeker will afford Tanzania the ability to better patrol its vast hinterland and its near-4,000 km of land borders with Burundi, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Uganda, and Zambia, to better combat such groups. As such, it is arguably one of the most useful assets in the Tanzanian inventory right now.
This suggests that at least four such aircraft may have been received. Built by Seabird Australia and Seabird Jordan, the Seeker is also in military service with Iraq and is set to be fielded by Yemen. Its high-wing monoplane and pusher-propeller configuration afford the two-man crew excellent forward and downwards vision, and its 15,250 ft service ceiling and minimum loitering speed of only 65 kt (120 km/h, 75 mph) means it can remain high overhead an area of interest for extended periods.
The latest version of the aircraft features a 180 hp Vantage 360 fuel- injected engine, and improved propeller to provide increased thrust, range, and endurance over earlier models, while reducing the fuel consumption and noise signature. An improved cooling system also enables the aircraft to operate in the higher temperatures of Africa and the Middle East. Other improvements include the fitting of ballistic protection for the crew, a cockpit compatible with night- vision goggles, and a flares-based countermeasures system.
The Seeker is also known to have two underwing hardpoints for the carriage of munitions and/or sensors. It is not known what, if any, such improvements the Tanzanian Seekers are fitted with, except that the aircraft shown in the video features an electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor turret, most likely the FLIR Systems 8500 as fitted to Seeker aircraft operated by Iraq.
COMMENT Prior to this, Tanzania was not believed to field any intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft, with the defence force's inventory being made up almost entirely of Chinese-built jets, trainers, and transport aircraft. However, the central African country has been increasingly affected by radical Islamist organisations such as Ansar Muslim Youth Centre (AMYC),
Jumuiya ya Taasisi za Kiislam, Jumuiya ya Uamsho na Mihadhara ya Kiislam (known as Uamsho), Al-Shabaab in Tanzania, and Ansar al-Sunnah. As in Iraq and Yemen, the Seabird Seeker will afford Tanzania the ability to better patrol its vast hinterland and its near-4,000 km of land borders with Burundi, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Uganda, and Zambia, to better combat such groups. As such, it is arguably one of the most useful assets in the Tanzanian inventory right now.
