Teledyne FLIR Defense Wins $91 million deal for Black Hornet 4 UAS
The Black Hornet 4 UAS has been designed to be easy for soldiers to carry and launch quickly. (Photo: Teledyne FLIR Defense)
The Black Hornet 4 was unveiled 12 months ago and has an improved thermal sensor and an EO camera over the previous platform, and a forward-facing ultrasound sensor and navigation cameras on the top and sides.
Teledyne FLIR Defense will supply the US Army with Black Hornet 4 nano-UAS under a five-year deal which could be worth up to US$91 million, adding to the total $215 million spent on Black Hornet 3 nano-UAS by the army.
The Black Hornet 4s are being acquired under the Soldier Borne Sensor (SBS) programme Phase II and an initial order of $25 million has been placed which includes controllers, spare parts and training. Deliveries are expected to start in September.
The US Army began acquiring Black Hornet 3 systems for the original SBS programme in 2018 and has placed orders totalling more than $215 million under this requirement.
Black Hornets are in service with more than 40 countries and designed to support special operations and small unit surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.
The latest version provides substantial improvements over the previous version with endurance increased from 25 minutes to 35 minutes and altitude doubled to 20,000ft. The speed increased to 36kmh from 21kmh and it can now operate in winds of 25kt as opposed to 10kt.
The endurance has been taken to 40 minutes under trials with the US Army. While the declared range was 2km, the army has again had the platform out to 3.5km.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Soldier Borne Sensor (SBS) (Phase I) [USA]
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Bell selected over Boeing to build DARPA SPRINT X-Plane]()
Bell selected over Boeing to build DARPA SPRINT X-Plane
The programme first began in 2023 with Bell and Boeing’s concepts progressing to Phase 1B, in which testing has been carried out over the last year.
-
![National Audit Office report highlights major delays in UK’s F-35 programme]()
National Audit Office report highlights major delays in UK’s F-35 programme
The report discloses that while the capability provided by the F-35 is superior to previous UK aircraft, delays from the UK Ministry of Defence on the programme have significantly impacted the country’s warfighting capabilities.
-
![France and UK to resume and upgrade Storm Shadow/SCALP production]()
France and UK to resume and upgrade Storm Shadow/SCALP production
The new ‘Entente Industrielle’ will work on a range of other projects to boost the UK economy and defence industry, including joint development on new high-tech frequency weapons and extended range air-to-air missiles.
-
![Boeing E-7A still in South Korean AEW&C competition, despite dropout reports]()
Boeing E-7A still in South Korean AEW&C competition, despite dropout reports
The E-7A is one of three aircraft submitted for the South Korean AEW&C II competition, which seeks to acquire four more aircraft of the type for its air force by 2028.
-
![France pushes for 80% workshare as FCAS programme nears critical development stage]()
France pushes for 80% workshare as FCAS programme nears critical development stage
Tensions on the programme have long simmered, with Airbus and Dassault recently clashing over workshare in June ahead of the Paris Air Show. The sixth-generation fighter programme is due to replace Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon jets beginning in 2040.
-
![US Air Force conducts climate testing with the T-7A Red Hawk]()
US Air Force conducts climate testing with the T-7A Red Hawk
The trainer aircraft recently completed the second round of extreme weather trials after enduring icy, windy and sunny conditions.
