Reconnaissance Aircraft: SA 2-37B
The Schweizer SA2-37B aircraft is engineered to perform covert surveillance missions in a manner not possible with any other aircraft. Its sophisticated suite of FLIR, EO, and Electronic Sensors enables activities on the land or sea to be detected and monitored without detection from below. The combination of its low acoustic signature, large payload capacity, long range, long endurance, and low operating costs make the SA2-37B exceptionally effective.

The SA2-37B has outstanding range/endurance performance. On a maximum endurance mission, it can operate for over twelve hours. Alternatively, it can fly a 200 nmi radius mission and still loiter on station for up to seven hours. With its 24,000 foot service ceiling, it can also perform high-altitude missions such as relay or signal intercept.

The SA2-37B is designed to carry up to 500 pounds (231 kg) of sensors and related payload equipment in its 70 cubic foot fuselage payload bay. A modular payload system enhances integration of the sensors and provides the capability to quickly change mission payloads

Careful matching of the aerodynamic design with the propeller, governor, engine, and mufflers, enables the SA2-37B to operate with engine RPMs between 1,100 to 1,300 in the low accoustice signature, covert loiter mode. Because of its high aerodynamic efficiency, the aircraft requires only about 65 horsepower in the mission mode to maintain level flight. When flying in the quiet mode, the SA2-37B is, under most circumstances, undetectable by an uncued observer when at an altitude higher than 2,000 feet (610 m) above the ground and 600 feet (183 m) above the water.

Mission versatility is designed into the SA2-37B. Its palletized payload system provides flexibility to switch missions with a minimum of effort. Some of the roles performed by the SA2-37B include: counter-drug detection and monitoring, counter-terrorism surveillance, maritime patrol, communications intercept, search and rescue, environmental protection, and high altitude relay.

The ability of the Schweizer SA2-37Bs to covertly perform reconnaissance missions has been proven by more than sixteen years of operation with government customers in the United States and around the world. For these users, the SA2-37B fulfills critical mission requirement for an airborne platform that can perform day/night surveillance missions without detection from below and in a cost effective manner.