Seabird Seeker

In March 2014 Seeker Aircraft (US), a subsidiary of the global aviation company CSI Aviation, acquired Seabird Aviation, the Australian manufacturer of the Seabird Seeker, with plans to eventually move Australia-based manufacturing operations to the United States In March 2016 Seeker Aircraft (US) announced that Erickson Inc. of Portland, Oregon, would begin manufacturing the Seeker aircraft in the United States In the US the Seeker aircraft has FAA Part 23 Normal Category certification, allowing use for commercial operations.{{Citation needed|date=July 2019}}

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iraq/sb7l-360.htm|title=SB7L-360 Seeker|publisher=GlobalSecurity.org|access-date=26 April 2015}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1218374/posts|title=Iraqi Air Force Conducts First Solo Operational Mission|author=Zabaldo, J|publisher=Multinational Security Transition Command, Iraq|date=16 August 2004}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.scramble.nl/orbats/iraq/airforce|title=Iraqi Air Force|publisher=Scramble - Dutch Aviation Society|accessdate=26 April 2015}}

;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{{cite web|title=Seeker Aircraft Delivers First SB7L-360A2|url=http://www.avweb.com/press-releases/572.html| access-date=3 April 2014}}

;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.{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/aviation/seabird-aviation-upgrades-as-it-seeks-a-higher-profile/story-e6frg95x-1226011542472|title=Seabird Aviation upgrades as it seeks a higher profile|author=Creedy S|newspaper=The Australian|date=25 February 2011|access-date=26 April 2015}}

;{{AUS}}

• Ergon Energy - Two Seeker ROAMES variants used for geospatial modeling.{{cite web|url=http://www.australianflying.com.au/image-gallery/seabird-aviation-roames-seeker-for-ergon-energy|title=Seabird Aviation ROAMES Seeker for Ergon Energy|publisher=Australian Flying|access-date=26 April 2015|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323154727/http://www.australianflying.com.au/image-gallery/seabird-aviation-roames-seeker-for-ergon-energy|archivedate=23 March 2012}}

;{{GHA}}

• Ghana Police Service - Were believed to be operating 4 Seekers in 2015, which were acquired from South Africa.{{cite web|url=http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=37480:tanzania-flying-seeker-observation-aircraft&catid=35:Aerospace|title=Tanzania flying Seeker observation aircraft|publisher=defenceWeb|date=4 December 2012}}

;{{RSA}}

• South African National Parks - A Seeker aircraft is used to patrol the Krueger National Park to prevent Rhinoceros poaching.{{cite web|url=http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=28746:paramount-donates-aircraft-to-combat-rhino-poaching&catid=35:Aerospace&Itemid=107|title=Paramount donates aircraft to combat rhino poaching|publisher=defenceWeb|date=12 January 2015|access-date=26 April 2015}}

;{{USA}}

• 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.csiaviation.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Seeker-America-acquires-Seabird-Aviation.pdf|title=Seeker America acquires Seabird Aviation|publisher=General Aviation News|date=30 April 2014}}

File:JY-SE1 Seabird Seeker (7690053920).jpg

;{{IRQ}}

• Iraqi Air Force - Two aircraft delivered in 2004.{{cite web|url=http://www.milavia.net/airforces/iraq/iqaf.htm|title=(New) Iraqi Air Force (IqAF) and Iraqi Army Air Corps|publisher=MILAVIA |date=11 February 2013|access-date=26 April 2015}}

;{{JOR}}

• Royal Jordanian Air Force - 6 Seekers operated in reconnaissance role.{{citation needed|date=January 2017}}

;{{TZA}}

• 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.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.janes.com/article/47663/tanzania-shown-to-be-operating-seabird-seeker-isr-aircraft|title=Tanzania shown to be operating Seabird Seeker ISR aircraft|author1=Jennings, G|author2=Peacock, L|magazine=IHS Jane's Defence Weekly|date=7 January 2015|access-date=26 April 2015}}

;{{YEM}}

• 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.{{cite magazine|url=http://aviationweek.com/awin/us-boosts-counterterror-ops-yemen|title=U.S. Boosts Counterterror Ops In Yemen|author=Coombes, C|magazine=Aviation Week & Space Technology|date=9 September 2013|access-date=26 April 2015}}

{{Aircraft specs

|ref=Taylor 1996, p. 381

|prime units? = imp

|crew=2

|length m=7.01

|length ft=23

|length in=0

|span m=11.07

|span ft=36

|span in=4

|height m=2.49

|height ft=8

|height in=2

|wing area sqm=13.1

|wing area sqft=141

|aspect ratio=9.36:1

|empty weight kg=590

|empty weight lb=1301

|gross weight kg=897

|gross weight lb=1997

|eng1 number=1

|eng1 name=Lycoming O-360-B2C

|eng1 kw=119

|eng1 hp=160

|cruise speed kmh=202

|cruise speed mph=129

|range km=832

|range miles=517

|endurance=6.9 hours|armament = *2 × underwing hardpoints

• 2 Rocket pods (/ rockets each)
• 2 12.2 gun pods

}}

{{aircontent

|related=

|similar aircraft=

• Edgley Optica
• Republic RC-3 Seabee

|lists=

}}

{{reflist|refs=

{{Cite press release |title=Seeker Aircraft to Begin Manufacturing in U.S. |date=March 2, 2016 |publisher=Seeker Aircraft |location=Albuquerque, NM. USA |url=https://www.seekeraircraft.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Seeker-Manufacturing-solo-Final.pdf}}

{{Cite press release |title=Seeker America acquires Seabird Aviation |date=April 8, 2014 |publisher=CSI Aviation |url=https://www.seekeraircraft.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Seeker-Seabird-Acquisition-april-2014.pdf}}

}}

{{refbegin}}

• {{cite book|last= Taylor|first= Michael J. H.|title= Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory|year= 1996|publisher= Brassey's|location= London, England|isbn= 1-85753-198-1|url-access= registration|url= https://archive.org/details/brasseysworldair0000unse}}

{{refend}}

{{commons category|Seabird Seeker}}

• [https://www.seekeraircraft.com/ Company website]
• [http://www.seabirdaviation.com.au/downloads/2007_info_pack.pdf Seabird Seeker ER SB7L-360A 2007 Information pack]{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
• {{cite news |url= http://aviationweek.com/business-aviation/helicopter-wings-aims-surveillance-market |title= 'Helicopter With Wings' Aims For Surveillance Market |date= Sep 22, 2017 |author= William Garvey |work= Aviation Week & Space Technology}}

Seeker

Category:1980s Australian civil utility aircraft

Category:Single-engined pusher aircraft

Category:High-wing aircraft

Category:Aircraft first flown in 1989