The French Air Force interim medium altitude long endurance (MALE) UAV, known as SIDM for Systeme Interimaire de Drone MALE, performed its maiden flight in a foreign theater — Afghanistan — on Feb. 17.

EADS Defence & Security turned over the system to the military in January. Based on the Israeli Aerospace Industries (IAI) Eagle 1 platform, SIDM provides French forces with up to 20 hours of surveillance capability. It carries electro optical sensors, laser designator and ground moving target indicator radar.

EADS said the French Air Force accumulated 200 flight hours while training SIDM operators and ground staff at Mont-de-Marsan Air Base, France, prior to the foreign deployment.