Teledyne FLIR Defense has announced a significant $17.5-million contract to deliver a substantial number of its advanced Black Hornet 4 nano-class drones to Switzerland. This contract emphasizes the integration of small unmanned aerial systems (UAS) into the Swiss Armed Forces’ operational framework, enhancing their capabilities for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
The Black Hornet 4 drones will supplement the operations of Switzerland’s Piranha 8×8 armored engineering vehicles, providing a valuable dismountable intelligence and reconnaissance capability. A notable aspect of this contract includes the upgrading of the Black Hornet’s software to ensure compatibility with the Piranha’s existing digital infrastructure. This enhancement will allow real-time aerial feeds to be transmitted directly to the ground platform and its crew, thereby improving operational efficiency.
Additionally, the integration will be supported by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, which will facilitate the generation of target points for the Piranha’s remote turret. This not only adds a layer of sophistication to the vehicle’s operational capabilities but also ensures that standard video relay functions are maintained. An important feature of this system is that the Piranha can deploy and receive the Black Hornet while on the move, allowing for improved tactical response during missions.
Dr. JihFen Lei, president of Teledyne FLIR Defense, highlighted the significance of this contract, describing the Black Hornet’s capabilities as a “force multiplier.” She noted that by providing instantaneous situational data to all systems and crew members within the vehicle, the cognitive burden on personnel is reduced, enhancing overall warfighting efficiency. Dr. Lei emphasized the contract’s potential to shape the global market for UAS integration in armored vehicles, reflecting the promise of innovative solutions like the “drone-in-a-box” systems developed by FLIR Defense.
The Black Hornet 4 itself is a compact drone, measuring 255 millimeters (10 inches) in length with a rotor diameter of 190 millimeters (8 inches). It can achieve flight speeds of up to 10 meters per second (33 feet per second) and is designed for rapid deployment, capable of being hand-launched in under 20 seconds. The drone is adept at conducting reconnaissance missions, gathering a range of data—including optical, acoustic, and electromagnetic signals—across a 2-kilometer (1.2-mile) radius. Furthermore, the drone is engineered to withstand wind gusts of up to 25 knots (46 kilometers or 29 miles per hour) and can operate in temperature ranges from -4 to 109 degrees Fahrenheit (-20 to 43 degrees Celsius).
This contract not only underscores the technological prowess of Teledyne FLIR but also marks an important collaboration in enhancing the capabilities of Switzerland’s military operations through advanced unmanned aerial systems.
