Micro-UAV Vehicle Reconnaissance System Demonstrated

The Black Recon™ Vehicle Reconnaissance System in development by Teledyne FLIR Defense, features a micro-UAV designed to withstand the rigors of traveling on infantry and other fighting vehicles By Sarah Simpson / 15 Sep 2023

Military Drones

Discover cutting-edge solutions from 10 leading global suppliers
SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT
Micro-UAV Vehicle Reconnaissance System Demonstrated
Follow UST

Teledyne FLIR Defense, part of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, has showcased the Black Recon™ Vehicle Reconnaissance System (VRS) at DSEI 2023.

The new technology concept will enable crews to autonomously launch small drones operated from inside a military vehicle. Crews can then perform reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition (RSTA), and recover the micro-UAV, without ever having to leave the safety of the vehicle.

The development program features an entirely new micro-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designed to withstand the rigors of traveling on infantry and other fighting vehicles. The system is built to provide continuous untethered reconnaissance at flight speeds that allow the UAV to work ahead of advancing vehicles, supplying valuable situational awareness even beyond line of sight.

Fitted inside a hardened launch box mounted to a vehicle, Black Recon’s deployment system can launch up to three UAVs during a mission. When one returns, a unique cradle-arm autonomously recovers the drone using patented technology to precisely track, capture, and dock the UAV – day or night, even in poor weather. Drones are then automatically recharged for the next mission

With its thermal and visual payload, Black Recon delivers live imagery and targeting information to vehicle crews. Operators can use the system for a wide range of missions, such as assessing if terrain is passable, sweeping for mines and improvised explosive devices, or performing close-up inspection under bridges using onboard illumination. The system provides high precision RSTA and can perform GPS-denied operations.

“Black Recon represents a groundbreaking new capability and a force multiplier for warfighters to take on near-peer adversaries,” said Dr. JihFen Lei, executive vice president and general manager of Teledyne FLIR Defense. “The ability to launch and recover UAVs in seconds from a vehicle, without exposing the crew, will enable fighting units to maintain operational tempo and leverage the system when it’s needed most – in dynamic, uncertain, and complex environments.”

Find suppliers & manufactures of sUAS >>

Posted by Sarah Simpson Specialising in digital copy Sarah is an experienced copywriter and researcher. Working with Unmanned Systems Technology Sarah has developed a passion for sourcing unique digital content and a talent for writing about the latest technical innovations in the unmanned sector. Connect & Contact

Latest Articles

Most Read Articles on UST This Week

Here’s our round-up of the five most read articles on UnmannedSystemsTechnology.com this week

Apr 17, 2025
Updates on Conformal Coating & Tin Whiskers

SCS outlines updates on conformal coatings and tin whiskers, looking into the origin of tin whiskers, how to mitigate their adverse consequences with conformal coatings, and more

Apr 17, 2025
Quadratix Powers Multi-Domain UAS Operations with AI & Automation

General Atomics integrates its software expertise into Quadratix, a unified ecosystem designed to enhance multi-domain operations with AI, automation, and real-time data fusion across air, land, sea, cyber, and space, including unmanned systems

Apr 17, 2025
Integrated ROV Camera & DVR System Streamlines Visual Inspections

SubC Imaging outlines how its Rayfin SCI system simplifies underwater inspections by combining camera control and DVR functions into a single interface for ROV operators

Apr 17, 2025
ParaZero Unveils Advanced Parachute Recovery System for Critical Drone Operations

ParaZero launches the SafeAir M4, an advanced parachute recovery system designed for the DJI Matrice 4, enhancing drone safety, compliance, and mission readiness

Apr 17, 2025
The Evolution of Aurora Flight Sciences’ sUAS Platforms

Aurora Flight Sciences has spent more than ten years refining sUAS capabilities, and its evolving platforms now support a broad range of ISR missions

Apr 17, 2025

Featured Content

WarrenUAS Adds Another Top Expert in Sophisticated Unmanned Aircraft

WarrenUAS has announced a collaborative agreement with The Tactien Group, deepening its industry ties and expanding its leadership in unmanned aircraft systems training and research

Apr 15, 2025
​​​​Teledyne Marine Launches Compact Autonomous Navigation Solution at Ocean Business

Teledyne Marine has unveiled the Compact Navigator at Ocean Business 2025, an ultra-compact autonomous navigation system designed for ROVs and AUVs, optimizing size, power, and performance in a single lightweight unit

Apr 10, 2025
Greensea IQ to Present Autonomous EverClean Robot at Ocean Business 2025

Greensea IQ will introduce its hybrid EverClean Inspection Robot at Ocean Business 2025, showcasing advanced capabilities for underwater asset inspection and data collection

Apr 07, 2025
Advancing Unmanned Systems Through Strategic Collaboration UST works with major OEMs to foster collaboration and increase engagement with SMEs, to accelerate innovation and drive unmanned systems capabilities forward.