The Teledyne FLIR Black Hornet Nano is a remarkable piece of technology. It's a tiny, handheld drone that weighs just 16 grams and measures 4.5 inches long.
This drone is designed for tactical missions, and it's been used by military units around the world. Its advanced performance and capabilities make it an invaluable asset on the battlefield.
The Black Hornet Nano is equipped with a high-resolution camera that captures video and still images in real-time. It also has a GPS system and can transmit data back to the user's device.
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Specifications
The Teledyne FLIR Black Hornet Nano is a remarkable piece of technology, and its specifications are just as impressive.
It measures around 16 × 2.5 cm (6 × 1 in) and weighs 18 g (0.7 oz) with its battery, making it small enough to fit in one hand.
The drone has a top speed of 21 km/h (13 mph) and can reach a 90% charge in just 20-25 minutes, which is the same amount of time it can hover.
An operator can be trained to operate the Black Hornet in just 20 minutes, making it a quick and easy-to-use system.
It has three cameras: one looking forward, one straight down, and one pointing down at 45 degrees, providing a wide range of views for the operator.
The Black Hornet package contains two helicopters, so if one needs to be recharged, the other is ready to fly.
Here are the key specifications of the Teledyne FLIR Black Hornet Nano:
- Dimensions: 16 × 2.5 cm (6 × 1 in)
- Weight: 18 g (0.7 oz)
- Top speed: 21 km/h (13 mph)
- Charging time: 20-25 minutes
- Number of cameras: 3
Operational History
The Teledyne FLIR Black Hornet Nano has an impressive operational history. It was used by soldiers from the UK's Brigade Reconnaissance Force at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan.
The aircraft was deployed from the front line to fly into enemy territory to take video and still images before returning to the operator. It was withdrawn from service in 2016/2017.
The Black Hornet was designed to blend in with its surroundings, with a muddy grey color that allowed it to operate undetected. It can fly for 20 minutes on quiet electric motors.
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The Black Hornet is connected to the operator with a digital data link and GPS, allowing for real-time video and image transmission. Images are displayed on a small handheld terminal.
In October 2013, the British Army had 324 Black Hornet Nanos in service. The aircraft was launched from a small box that can be strapped to a utility belt.
The US Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center selected the Black Hornet after evaluating commercially available small-scale UAVs. They concluded that further refinements were needed for a US Army role.
The Black Hornet was tested with US troops in early March 2015, and Prox Dynamics delivered an upgraded version with improved features for special forces testing in June 2015.
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Product Announcements
The Teledyne FLIR Black Hornet Nano has been a game-changer in the world of personal reconnaissance systems.
The latest generation, Black Hornet 4, has a flying time of more than 30 minutes and can fly in 25-knot winds, making it a reliable tool for soldiers in the field.
The Black Hornet 4 has a range of over two kilometers and can deliver crisp video and still images to the operator thanks to its new 12-megapixel daytime camera and high-resolution thermal imager.
Its single rotor design allows it to have an extremely low visual and audible signature, making it nearly undetectable.
Teledyne FLIR Defense has delivered over 20,000 Black Hornet PRS systems to military and security forces in more than 40 countries.
The U.S. Army has been acquiring Black Hornets since 2018 as part of its Soldier Borne Sensor program, with orders totaling over $125 million.
The Black Hornet 4 is designed and built by FLIR Defense in Norway, and it's an upgrade to the battle-proven Black Hornet 3 legacy.
It's also worth noting that the Black Hornet 3 was able to operate in GPS-denied areas, a feature that's also available in the Black Hornet 4.
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Demonstrations and Trials
The Teledyne FLIR Black Hornet Nano is a tiny, yet impressive, surveillance drone. It weighs only 16 grams and is about the size of a small bird.
The Black Hornet Nano has been used in various demonstrations and trials to showcase its capabilities. It has been tested in harsh environments, including extreme temperatures and humidity.
The drone is equipped with a high-resolution camera that can capture video and still images. This feature allows users to gather valuable intelligence in real-time.
The Black Hornet Nano has been used in military and law enforcement applications, providing a cost-effective and safe way to gather surveillance. It can be deployed in areas that are difficult or impossible for humans to access.
In one notable trial, the Black Hornet Nano was used to scout out a building before a SWAT team entered. The drone's footage helped the team plan their approach and stay safe.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teledyne_FLIR_Black_Hornet_Nano
- https://www.flir.com/news-center/military/new-black-hornet-4/
- https://www.defensedaily.com/teledyne-introduces-new-black-hornet-nano-drone-with-leap-ahead-performance/unmanned-systems/
- https://www.suasnews.com/2023/10/teledyne-flir-defense-unveils-new-black-hornet-4-personal-reconnaissance-system-at-ausa-conference/
- https://www.flir.com/news-center/press-releases/flir-launches-next-generation-black-hornet-3-nano-uav/
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