FLIR Launches Next Generation Black Hornet 3 Nano-UAV
This article was originally published in Geomatics World.
FLIR Systems Inc has announced the Black Hornet 3 nano-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for use by global militaries, government agencies, and first responders. The Black Hornet Personal Reconnaissance System (PRS) is already the world’s smallest combat-proven nano-UAS, and FLIR’s next generation Black Hornet 3 adds the ability to navigate in GPS-denied environments, enabling the deployed personnel to maintain situational awareness, threat detection, and surveillance no matter where the mission takes them.
Black Hornet PRS has been fielded by over 30 nations over the past seven years and continues to represent the cutting-edge in the combat nano-UAS space, enabling small combat units, SWAT teams, and first responders with immediately available intelligence, target-acquisition, and reconnaissance capability. At 32 grams, the Black Hornet 3 offers the lowest size, weight, and performance for UAS available.
Offering improved speed and distance compared to previous versions, the Black Hornet 3 flies at speeds over 21 kilometres an hour. The nano-UAV also incorporates sharper imaging processing featuring the FLIR Lepton thermal micro-camera core and a visible sensor to allow greater image fidelity. The design also features an improved encrypted military-approved digital data link, enabling seamless communications and imagery significantly beyond line-of-sight and in closed areas.
Additionally, the Black Hornet 3 seamlessly integrates into the Android Tactical Assault Kit (ATAK) utilised by the military to provide battlefield networks and distribution of information to anyone on the network.
“We are excited to bring this advanced Black Hornet 3 to our deployed personnel and first responders,” said James Cannon, President and CEO of FLIR. “With longer range and indoor flight capabilities, the latest generation Black Hornet provides full surveillance coverage continuity to the mission. The Black Hornet 3 is representative of FLIR’s new focus on providing full-solution technology, and we look forward to playing a role in helping modernise our military customers.”
FLIR also announced it had been awarded a US$2.6 million order from the United States Army’s Soldier Borne Sensor (SBS) program to deliver the Black Hornet 3 which includes two UAV sensors, a controller, and display.
For more information about the Black Hornet 3, visit www.flir.com/blackhornet (USA) or www.flir.eu/blackhornet (Europe and Asia).
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