Teledyne FLIR Defense, a subsidiary of Teledyne Technologies, has been awarded a $15 million contract to supply its state-of-the-art Black Hornet 4 Personal Reconnaissance Systems to the German Army. The agreement, spanning two years, was finalized through the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) and facilitated by Teledyne FLIR’s regional partner, European Logistic Partners (ELP) GmbH, based in Wuppertal, Germany.
The Black Hornet 4, the latest iteration of Teledyne FLIR’s lightweight nano-unmanned aerial system (UAS), provides cutting-edge covert situational awareness to military units. Weighing only 70 grams, it is equipped with a 12-megapixel daytime camera and a high-resolution thermal imager, delivering real-time intelligence to operators in complex environments. With a flight time exceeding 30 minutes and an operational range of over two kilometers, the drone is built to function in harsh weather conditions, including 25-knot winds and rain.
Ketil Vanebo, vice president of UAS Norway Operations at Teledyne FLIR Defense, emphasized the increasing demand for the Black Hornet series across Europe, stating:
“We’re proud to work with the Bundeswehr and ELP to deliver the unmatched capabilities of the Black Hornet 4 to German armed forces. As regional and global tensions persist, we are witnessing growing adoption of this advanced UAS.”
Teledyne FLIR Defense has delivered over 33,000 Black Hornet UAVs to military and security forces in more than 45 countries, including Ukrainian combat units, where the drones have proven effective in demanding operational conditions.
The Black Hornet 4 is designed and manufactured by Teledyne FLIR Defense in Norway, continuing the company’s legacy of providing mission-critical reconnaissance solutions to global defense forces.
