Teledyne FLIR’s Black Hornet 4 Nano-Drone approved for Defense Innovation Unit’s Blue UAS List

Teledyne FLIR Defense, part of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, announced its Black Hornet 4 Personal Reconnaissance System has successfully completed the required NDAA and cyber security verification process and been approved for the Blue UAS List with an Authority to Operate.

Led by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), Blue UAS vets and verifies commercial drone technology for the Department of Defense and U.S. government. The Blue UAS List gives users access to a wide range of drone systems that can meet their diverse needs. In February Teledyne FLIR announced that Black Hornet 4 was selected by DOD operators from among more than 35 uncrewed aerial system (UAS) products, all rigorously tested during DIU’s ‘Blue UAS Refresh’ event.

“We’re honored to see Black Hornet 4 added to the Blue UAS List, knowing that more operators across our military and federal government will be able to benefit from this one-of-a-kind drone and its distinct capabilities,” says Dr. JihFen Lei, president of Teledyne FLIR Defense. “DIU is filling a critical national need in meeting mission requirements by executing a more expansive Blue UAS program, and we have valued our partnership with them throughout the verification process.”

Black Hornet 4 represents the next generation of lightweight nano-drones, able to provide enhanced covert situational awareness to small fighting units. Its 12-megapixel daytime camera and high-resolution thermal imager deliver crisp video and still images to the operator. At just 70g Black Hornet 4 can fly for more than 30 minutes, more than 3km, and function in 25-knot winds and rain. Flight performance is augmented by advanced obstacle avoidance capabilities and other features.

In May, FLIR Defense opened a new 13,000ft² facility in Somerset, Kentucky that will function as a major support hub for servicing, testing, and training on Black Hornet systems used by U.S. armed forces.

FLIR Defense has delivered more than 33,000 Black Hornet drones to military and security forces in over 45 countries. The U.S. Army began acquiring Black Hornet systems in 2018 for its Soldier Borne Sensor (SBS) program. Since then, it has placed orders under SBS and other contract vehicles totaling more than $300 million.

The award-winning Black Hornet is designed and built by Teledyne FLIR Defense in Norway.