US Army Integrates Black Hornet Nano-Drone to Enhance Stealth and Reconnaissance Operations.

Teledyne FLIR Defense, a subsidiary of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, announced on June 23, 2025, that its Black Hornet 4 Personal Reconnaissance System has completed the required cybersecurity and National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) compliance procedures. The system is now officially approved by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) for the U.S. Department of Defense’s Blue UAS list, granting it an Authority to Operate for military and government users.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

The Black Hornet 4 is a nano-class uncrewed aerial vehicle designed for tactical reconnaissance missions (Picture source: FLIR)

Managed by the DIU, the Blue UAS program evaluates and certifies commercial unmanned systems to meet the operational and cybersecurity requirements of U.S. defense and federal entities. In February 2025, the Black Hornet 4 had already been selected during the DIU’s “Blue UAS Refresh” event, following assessments of more than 35 candidate drone systems.

The Black Hornet 4 is a nano-class uncrewed aerial vehicle designed for tactical reconnaissance missions. Weighing 70 grams, it integrates a 12-megapixel visual sensor and a high-resolution thermal imager, enabling image and video capture in both day and night conditions. The drone has a flight endurance exceeding 30 minutes and an operational range of over three kilometers. It maintains stable performance in wind speeds up to 25 knots and is equipped with obstacle avoidance features for use in complex or confined environments.

The system’s compact format and minimal acoustic signature support its deployment in low-visibility or GPS-denied areas. Operated by individual soldiers without requiring specialized training, the drone is intended for short-range surveillance, reconnaissance of routes or urban areas, and inspection of inaccessible locations.

The U.S. Army began acquiring Black Hornet systems in 2018 under the Soldier Borne Sensor (SBS) program. Since then, cumulative orders across multiple contracting mechanisms have exceeded $300 million. In May 2025, Teledyne FLIR opened a dedicated 13,000-square-foot support facility in Somerset, Kentucky, to provide servicing, testing, and training for Black Hornet systems operated by U.S. forces.

More than 33,000 Black Hornet drones have been delivered to military and security users in over 45 countries. The system is designed and manufactured by Teledyne FLIR Defense in Norway.