Teledyne FLIR Defense will produce Black Hornet® 3 Personal Reconnaissance Systems for use in Ukraine as part of an order from Norway’s Ministry of Defense.
The Norwegian MOD will procure an additional 1,000 Black Hornet unmanned aerial systems (UAS), as well as spare parts, maintenance, and training for Ukrainian operators and instructors. Last August, Norway donated nearly 300 Black Hornet systems to Ukraine forces through the UK-led International Fund for Ukraine.
The award-winning Black Hornet 3 is designed and built by Teledyne FLIR in Norway. The pocket-sized UAV weighs just 33 grams (less than 1.2 ounces) and measures 168 millimeters (less than seven inches). Well suited for operations in highly contested and GPS-denied environments, nearly silent, and with a flight time up to 25 minutes, the Black Hornet transmits live visible and thermal video and HD still images to the user.
The Norwegian MOD will procure an additional 1,000 Black Hornet unmanned aerial systems (UAS), as well as spare parts, maintenance, and training for Ukrainian operators and instructors. Last August, Norway donated nearly 300 Black Hornet systems to Ukraine forces through the UK-led International Fund for Ukraine.
“Ukraine is very satisfied with previous Norwegian deliveries of this type of reconnaissance drone,” Norwegian Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram said in a statement.
“We are honored and proud to support Norway’s efforts to assist forces in Ukraine,” said Dr. JihFen Lei, executive vice president and general manager of Teledyne FLIR Defense. “The Black Hornet has proven to be game-changing technology that can help soldiers perform missions more safely and effectively.”
Black Hornet drones are currently being used by Ukrainian forces through donations made last summer by the Norwegian and British governments. They have performed successfully in numerous operations under the harshest of environments. FLIR Defense has delivered more than 14,000 Black Hornet PRS systems to military and security forces in over 40 countries.
The U.S. Army has placed Black Hornet orders worth more than $140 million over the past five years, including in support of its Soldier Borne Sensor program.