US Army to Receive Black Hornet Nano-UAVs

Weighing just 33g, nearly silent, and with a flight time up to 25 minutes, the combat-proven, pocket-sized Black Hornet PRS transmits live video and HD still images back to the operator By Joe Macey / 27 Jul 2023
US Army contracts Teledyne FLIR for Nano Drones
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Teledyne FLIR has signed a five-year deal worth up to $93.9 million to supply Black Hornet 3 Personal Reconnaissance Systems (PRS) to the US Army.

The initial award under this Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) will cover delivery of the nano-unmanned aerial systems (UAS), as well as controllers, spare parts, and training.

Weighing just 33 grams, nearly silent, and with a flight time up to 25 minutes, the combat-proven, pocket-sized Black Hornet PRS transmits live video and HD still images back to the operator.

Well suited for operations in contested environments, the Black Hornet provides soldiers with immediate covert situational awareness to help them perform missions more safely and effectively.

“The Black Hornet 3 gives warfighters up-to-the-minute situational understanding before and while they conduct missions,” said Dr. JihFen Lei, Executive Vice President and General Manager of FLIR Defense. “We are proud to provide this unique capability to our soldiers and honored by the U.S. Army’s long-term commitment through the new IDIQ, building on its previous orders under the SBS program.”

“FLIR Defense will continue to invest in developing unmanned platforms and smart sensors that are proving their worthiness in operational theaters worldwide,” Lei added. “These technologies are reshaping the modern battlefield.”

Black Hornet drones are currently being used by Ukrainian forces through donations made by the British and Norwegian governments. This month, Norway’s Ministry of Defense ordered 1,000 more UAS systems. They have performed successfully in numerous operations under the harshest of environments.

FLIR Defense is said to have delivered more than 20,000 Black Hornet PRS systems to military and security forces in over 40 countries.

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