Teledyne FLIR Defense has been awarded a $17.5-million contract to deliver large quantities of its Black Hornet 4 nano unmanned aerial systems to Switzerland. The acquisition will enhance the Swiss Armed Forces’ tactical intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities, particularly in support of the Piranha 8×8 armored engineering vehicle fleet.
According to the company, the Black Hornet 4 will operate as a dismountable ISR sensor integrated with the Piranha platform. As part of the contract, Teledyne FLIR will modify the drone’s software to ensure seamless compatibility with the vehicle’s existing digital architecture. This integration will allow live aerial video feeds to be transmitted directly to the vehicle and its crew, improving situational awareness in real time.
The solution will be supported by an Integrated Combat Solution, with Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace responsible for key compatibility work. This integration enables the generation of target coordinates for the Piranha’s remotely operated turret, in addition to standard video relay functions. Teledyne FLIR noted that the system allows the Piranha vehicle to deploy and recover the Black Hornet nano drone while on the move, further enhancing operational flexibility.
The Black Hornet 4 measures 255 millimeters in length with a rotor diameter of 190 millimeters and has a top flight speed of 10 meters per second. Designed for rapid hand launch in under 20 seconds, the nano drone collects optical, acoustic, and electromagnetic data during reconnaissance missions at ranges of up to 2 kilometers. It can operate in wind gusts of up to 25 knots and withstand temperatures ranging from -4 to 109 degrees Fahrenheit, making it suitable for diverse operational environments.
