Germany signs $15 million deal for Black Hornet 4 nano-drones
The contract for the UAVs includes parts and training. (Photo: FLIR Defense)
Teledyne FLIR Defense has delivered more than 33,000 Black Hornet uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAV)s to 45 countries and are being used Ukrainian forces in the war against Russia.
Teledyne FLIR Defense has been awarded a US$15 million contract from Germany’s Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) for Black Hornet 4 (BH4) personal reconnaissance systems.
The contract is being fulfilled by the company’s local partner European Logistic Partners (ELP) GmbH of Wuppertal, Germany as the contractor for BAAINBw. It is being fulfilled within a two-year agreement and will deliver Black Hornet 4 systems, parts and training.
BH4 UAVs are designed to provide enhanced covert situational awareness to small fighting units they have a 12-megapixel daytime camera and high-resolution thermal sensor. At just 70g a platform can fly for more than 30 minutes, more than 2km, and function in rain and 25kt winds. Flight performance is augmented by advanced obstacle avoidance capabilities, the company claimed.
Related Articles
AUSA 2023: Black Hornet 4 nano-UAS described as the previous version ‘on steroids’
New Zealand turns to proven UAS to meet rapid procurement for army
Teledyne FLIR Defense Wins $91 million deal for Black Hornet 4 UAS
Ketil Vanebo, VP of UAS Norway operations at Teledyne FLIR Defense, stated that there was an increasing number of customers for BH4.
“We are seeing increased adoption of the Black Hornet UAS throughout Europe as regional and global tensions remain high and the system gives warfighters a distinct edge when conducting missions,” Vanebo said.
In October last year, Teledyne FLIR Defense won a contract worth $25 million supply the US Army with BH4 under a five-year deal which could be worth up to $91 million, adding to the total $215 million spent on Black Hornet 3 UAVs by the army.
The BH4s for the US Army are being acquired under the Soldier Borne Sensor (SBS) programme Phase II which includes controllers, spare parts and training.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Soldier Borne Sensor (SBS) (Phase II) [USA]
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![US approves potential $4.7 billion missile and air defence system sales to Denmark and Italy]()
US approves potential $4.7 billion missile and air defence system sales to Denmark and Italy
Italy could field the JASSM-ER for its combat aircraft including the F-35, while Denmark has been approved for AMRAAM and an Integrated Battle Command system procurement.
-
![Northrop Grumman to fly new Project Talon CCA by late 2026]()
Northrop Grumman to fly new Project Talon CCA by late 2026
The newly unveiled collaborative combat aircraft looks to strike a balance between capability and cost-effectiveness, according to the company.
-
![MBDA and Lockheed move closer to F-35A Meteor flight tests]()
MBDA and Lockheed move closer to F-35A Meteor flight tests
Following the completion of successful ground tests, one more exercise remains before flight testing can begin.
