• Defence Helicopter

  MSPO 2016: Russia advances helicopter modernisation

  30th August 2016

  Russia continues to breathe new life into its various helicopter programmes, with several projects reaching key milestones recently. At the end of July, the latest …

• Defence Helicopter

  Taiwan’s Black Hawks put through paces

  24th August 2016

  Taiwan’s new Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawks participated in the country’s annual Han Kuang war games for the first time from 23-27 August. To date the …

• Naval Warfare

  Qatar seek fast patrol boats

  23rd August 2016

  The US State Department has approved a possible foreign military sale (FMS) to Qatar for an undisclosed number of Mk V fast patrol boats in …

• Land Warfare

  Night-vision advances for US armour

  29th July 2016

  The US Army is looking to enhance the ‘eyes’ of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle and M1 Abrams tank with high-definition infrared technology that will allow …

• Defence Helicopter

  Iran brings in rotary firepower

  28th July 2016

  The firepower of the Iranian Army Aviation’s (IRIAA) helicopter units has been starkly illustrated during a recent counter-narcotics operation. On 21 July, the IRIAA’s 3rd …

• Military Logistics

  USAF orders ALEP Block 2 eyewear

  26th July 2016

  Teledyne Scientific and Imaging has received a contract worth $30.1 million from the US Air Force (USAF) to fabricate, test and deliver Aircrew Laser Eye …

• Defence Helicopter

  Farnborough 2016: FLIR unveils new LD turret (video)

  15th July 2016

  FLIR Systems has unveiled a new product for rotary-wing aircraft at this year's Farnborough International Airshow, called the Star Safire 380-HLDc. Andrew Saxton, director of …

• Defence Helicopter

  Farnborough 2016: FLIR showcases 380-HLDc for military market

  11th July 2016

  FLIR Systems launched its Star SAFIRE 380-HLDc airborne thermal imaging system at the Farnborough International Airshow (FIA 2016) on 11 July. The new gimbal is …

• Land Warfare

  FLIR acquires Armasight for $41 million

  1st July 2016

  FLIR Systems has acquired precision optics company Armasight for around $41 million, it announced on 28 June, with the acqusition set to enhance FLIR's tactical …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Hans-free Solo readied for UW2016

  29th June 2016

  Optionally-manned platforms will be present at the Unmanned Warrior exercise off the coast of Scotland this year, with the dual capability providing a degree of …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Chinese UCAVs proliferate unexpectedly

  10th June 2016

  Chinese UCAVs capable of deadly armed missions have been turning up in odd places in recent times, including Kazakhstan and Myanmar. Kazakhstan displayed a Wing …

• Digital Battlespace

  FLIR unveils ground-surveillance systems

  31st May 2016

  FLIR Systems has released two new ground surveillance systems designed for border security and force protection, the company announced on 24 May. The first is …

• Training

  ITEC 2016: Airbus UAS trainer ready to fly

  17th May 2016

  Airbus Defence and Space (DS) is showcasing its customer-ready UAS Mission and Tactics Training (MTT) at ITEC in London. The generic system can be used …

• Defence Helicopter

  Switching to BrightNite

  3rd May 2016

  Elbit Systems believes it has made a significant breakthrough in night vision technology, following a series of demonstration flight tests of its BrightNite system in …

• Defence Helicopter

  Quad A 2016: DVE solution goes in-house

  30th April 2016

  The US Army has decided to pursue existing technology being developed by the government for its Brownout Rotorcraft Enhancement System (BORES) requirement, ruling out any …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Black Hornet 4 [Switzerland]

  Background Announcment Teledyne FLIR Defense announced on 2 February 2026 that it had received a $17.5 million contract from armasuisse, the Swiss Federal Office of ...

• Loitering munitions

  Organic Precision Fire - Light (OPF-L) (Uncontracted) [USMC]

  Background Force Design 2030 The USMC Force Design 2030 is a modernisation effort to create a lighter, more agile maritime force. In May 2022, an annual update ...

• Loitering munitions

  Organic Precision Fire - Light (OPF-L) (Contracted) [USMC]

  Background Force Design 2030 The USMC Force Design 2030 is a modernisation effort to create a lighter, more agile maritime force. In May 2022, an ...

• Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Black Hornet 4 [Germany]

  Programme Background BAAINBw In February 2025, Shephard reported that Teledyne FLIR had been awarded a $15 million contract from Germany’s Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology ...

• Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Black Hornet 3 (Second Order) [Norway]

  Programme Background First Order The Norwegian Home Guard has procured the Black Hornet 3 to provide each of its districts with a nano UAS that ...

• Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Soldier Borne Sensor (SBS) (Phase II) [USA]

  Programme Background Requirement The Soldier Borne Sensor (SBS) provides short-range day and night ISR to US Army units at the squad, platoon and other small ...

• Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Black Hornet 3 (Ukraine Aid) [UK & Norway]

  Programme Background Russo-Ukraine War Since Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February 2022, UAVs have proved vital to the country's defence. Consequently, as in this programme, the ...

• Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Micro UAVs [Germany]

  Background Drone Plans In mid-2025, as has been reported by outlets such as Loyal Magazine, the Bundeswehr presented plans to expand its UAV inventory. It ...

• Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Black Hornet 3 (First Order) [Norway]

  Programme Background First Batch The Norwegian Home Guard has procured the Black Hornet 3 to provide each of its districts with a nano UAS that ...

• Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Render Safe Sets, Kits & Outfits (RS SKO) (UAV) [US]

  Programme Background Definition The RS SKO provides capabilities needed for Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams to render safe US and foreign ordnance and improvised explosive ...

• Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Black Hornet 3 (Ukrainian Aid) [Norway]

  Background Previous Purchases Norway has purchased two batches for its use, the first in October 2020 and the second in June 2022. International Fund For ...

• Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Black Hornet 4 [Belgium]

  Background Belgian Drone Expansion In November 2025, the Forces Operations Blog (FOB) reported that the Belgian Land Force would launch various UAV procurement programmes, based ...

• Military UAS - mini, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  THEA Primis [UK]

  Programme Background Tender Notice On 30 September 2022, the UK MoD published a contract notice for the THEA Primis UAV. The $18 million tender sought ...

• Loitering munitions

  Low Altitude Stalking and Strike Ordnance (LASSO) [US Army]

  Background Launch The Program Executive Office Soldier, a US Army organisation responsible for rapid prototyping, procurement, and equipment fielding, launched the effort in May 2023 and ...

• Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Soldier Borne Sensor (SBS) (Phase I) [USA]

  Programme Background Requirement The Soldier Borne Sensor (SBS) provides short-range day and night ISR to US Army units at the squad, platoon and other small ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• EO/IR systems

  Hadron 640 (series)

  The Hadron 640 is a series of dual thermal and visible camera modules from Teleydyne FLIR. The dual-sensor payload is designed to be integrated into UAVs ...

• Loitering munitions, Military UAS - mini, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Rogue 1

  Unveiled in May 2024, the Rogue 1 is a rotary-wing quadcopter UAV from Teledyne FLIR. The drone can be equipped with an explosively formed penetrator (EFP), ...

• Military UAS - micro

  Black Hornet 4

  Unveiled at AUSA 2023, the Black Hornet 4 is a micro rotary-wing UAV from Teledyne FLIR. Compared to its predecessor, the drone is heavier, faster, ...

• EO/IR systems, Sea: ship surveillance and fire control systems

  SeaFLIR 380-HD

  The SeaFLIR 380-HD is a long-range, multispectral surveillance system for surface vessels. Manufactured by Teledyne FLIR, the system combines HD IR, colour or SWIR spectral information. According to ...

• EO/IR systems

  EO/IR Mk-II

  Manufactured by Teledyne FLIR, the EO/IR Mk-II is a multi-sensor imaging payload for the SkyRanger R70.  According to Teledyne FLIR, the EO/IR Mk-II imaging payload delivers ...

• Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  ION M640x

  The ION M640x is a short-range micro-UAS manufactured by Teledyne FLIR. Developed from the ION M440, the quadcopter can be folded for easier transportation and ...

• Military UAS - mini

  R80D SkyRaider

  The military-grade R80D SkyRaider VTOL small UAS is an open-architecture, multi-mission aircraft. Manufactured by Teledyne FLIR System exclusively for US DoD and Federal Agencies, the ...

• Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Black Recon

  Unveiled at DSEI 2023, the Black Recon Vehicle Reconnaissance Systems (VRS) is a micro rotary-wing drone system.  Three UAVs are stored in a launch box, ...

• EO/IR systems, Sea: ship surveillance and fire control systems

  SeaFLIR 280-HDEP

  Unveiled in 2020, the SeaFLIR 280-HDEP is a shipboard multi-spectral surveillance system manufactured by Teledyne FLIR. It features an FHD daylight camera, a WXGA MWIR ...

• EO/IR systems

  StormCaster-DX

  Unveiled at Modern Day Marine 2022, the Teledyne FLIR StormCaster-DX is a multi-role, low-SWaP laser target designator (LTD) payload designed to affect the STANAG-compliant terminal ...

• EO/IR systems

  Star SAFIRE 380-HLD

  The FLIR Star SAFIRE 380-HLD is a full-HD multi-spectral targeting system with image stabilisation, ultra-long-range imaging performance, and metadata embedded in digital video.  Manufactured by Teledyne ...

• EO/IR systems, Land: vehicle surveillance/target acquisition systems, Sea: ship surveillance and fire control systems

  Talon

  The Talon is a discontinued multi-sensor imaging system from Teledyne FLIR. Up to six payloads could be fitted into the nine-inch gimbal: IR, Color CCD, low light, ...

• EO/IR systems, Sea: ship surveillance and fire control systems

  SeaFLIR 230

  The SeaFLIR 230 is a maritime surveillance system from Teledyne FLIR.   Built to MIL-STD-461 and MIL-STD-810, SeaFLIR 230 is designed for deployment in ISR, EEZ constabulary, maritime ...

• EO/IR systems

  StormCaster-E

  The StormCaster-E is an integrated EO camera payload for the SkyRanger R70 and R80D SkyRaider platforms.  Manufactured by Teledyne FLIR, it is designed to operate across daylight ...

• Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Black Hornet 3

  The Black Hornet 3 is the next generation of the PD-100 Black Hornet, the world’s smallest nano-UAS. This new model of the Black Hornet provides ...