France's Sagem Defense Securite acquired Robonic Ltd. Oy, of Tampere, Finland, which specializes in pneumatic UAV catapults. Terms of the purchase were not disclosed.

Sagem said the acquisition provides a key element to develop the new-generation, high-endurance catapulted tactical UAVs. It also supports modernization of Sagem’s Sperwer UAVs, in operational service with Canada, France, Greece, the Netherlands and Sweden, “through quicker deployment, a reduced logistics footprint and improved aircraft launching,” the company said.

Robonic Ltd. Oy's pneumatic UAV catapults are in service in the Finnish and other armed forces. Sagem’s acquisition includes the company's subsidiary Arctic Test UAV Flight Center in Kemijarvi. Sagem used the flight-test center in June 2006 for long-endurance tests of its tactical UAVs.