Teledyne FLIR Defense’s Black Hornet 4 drone has recently earned a spot on the US military’s Blue UAS List, having satisfied cybersecurity standards set under the National Defense Authorization Act. This approval, confirmed by the Defense Innovation Unit, grants the drone an Authority to Operate which permits government agencies to utilize the system for official operations.
Designed for short-range reconnaissance in complex environments, the Black Hornet 4 stands out as a compact, palm-sized nano drone. The complete system, weighing approximately 1.3 kilograms (2.9 pounds), facilitates ease of transport and operation by dismounted personnel with minimal training requirements. This lightweight design does not compromise on performance; the drone boasts a flight duration exceeding 30 minutes and can operate over distances greater than 3 kilometers (1.9 miles).
The Black Hornet 4 is engineered for stability, even under challenging weather conditions, including wind speeds reaching up to 25 knots (approximately 29 miles or 46 kilometers per hour) and light rain. Its capabilities are further enhanced by a 12-megapixel optical camera, which supports high-quality daylight imaging, and a thermal sensor tailored for low-visibility situations, enabling operations during nighttime. Operators can benefit from real-time image and video transmission, ensuring timely decision-making on the field.
Safety in navigation is a priority for the Black Hornet 4, which comes equipped with an advanced obstacle avoidance system. This feature enables the drone to detect and circumvent nearby objects, making it easier to operate in densely populated areas like urban environments.
The demand for Black Hornet drones has been significant, with over 33,000 variants delivered to military and security forces across more than 45 nations. To bolster its commitment to supporting US military units, FLIR Defense opened a new 13,000-square-foot (1,208-square-meter) facility in Somerset, Kentucky. This center will focus on maintenance, testing, and training related to the Black Hornet drone systems.
The recent developments follow a substantial five-year contract awarded to Teledyne FLIR last October for the supply of Black Hornet 4 systems. The initial contract was valued at $25 million, with the potential to escalate to $91 million contingent upon the exercise of all options.
