France’s Sagem was selected by the French defense procurement agency DGA to design the datalink system for future UAVs, including line-of-site and satellite links needed for both air vehicle control and onboard sensors.

Under the contract, named Lido, the French acronym for Drone Data Link, Sagem will define data links for tactical, theater and combat UAVs. “The technologies offered by Sagem will feature innovative, economical bandwidth solutions, plus enhanced protection against electronic
warfare,” the company said Jan. 12.

Sagem Defense Sécurité’s Sperwer tactical UAV uses a Ku-band datalink system. Sperwer is in service with the armed forces of Canada, the Netherlands, Sweden, France and Greece, and is currently deployed by three countries in Afghanistan, Sagem said.