Teledyne FLIR Defense has secured a contract to provide the German Armed Forces with its advanced Black Hornet 4 Personal Reconnaissance Systems. While the specific number of nano drones included in the agreement remains undisclosed, the contract also encompasses spare parts and training for users.
Under this contract, operations will proceed over a two-year timeframe in partnership with European Logistic Partners, a regional distribution company located in Wuppertal. Once operational, these unmanned aerial systems are set to enhance the capabilities of the German military, joining the ranks of over 33,000 Black Hornet drones previously distributed by Teledyne FLIR to nearly 50 countries worldwide.
The Black Hornet technology, originating from Norway, has already found its application in various defense scenarios, notably with the Ukrainian Armed Forces amid ongoing conflict with Russia. The United States military has also adopted this technology, utilizing hand-launched drones for tactical purposes.
Ketil Vanebo, Vice President of UAS Norway Operations at Teledyne FLIR Defense, expressed pride in collaborating with the Bundeswehr and ELP to deliver the cutting-edge capabilities of the Black Hornet 4. He emphasized the growing adoption of this unmanned aircraft system across Europe in light of heightened regional and global tensions. With its advanced stealth features, the Black Hornet 4 is designed to give warfighters a significant tactical advantage during challenging missions.
The specifications of the Black Hornet 4 highlight its compact design, measuring 255 millimeters (10 inches) in length, with a rotor diameter of 190 millimeters (8 inches). The drone is engineered for swift deployment, taking under 20 seconds to become operational. It excels in reconnaissance tasks, capable of gathering audio, video, and electromagnetic data from targets located up to 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) away. The drone can navigate at speeds of 10 meters (33 feet) per second and is built to endure wind gusts up to 25 knots (approximately 46 kilometers or 29 miles per hour) as well as temperature variations from -20 to 43 degrees Celsius (-4 to 109 degrees Fahrenheit).
As military needs evolve, the introduction of the Black Hornet 4 aims to enhance situational awareness and operational effectiveness for ground forces around the world.
