The Teledyne FLIR Defense contract with the Norway Ministry of Defense is to procure 1,000 more Black Hornet UAS for Ukraine including spare parts and training for operators and instructors.
Teledyne FLIR Defense, a division of Teledyne Technologies, has been awarded a contract to produce Black Hornet 3 Personal Reconnaissance Systems for use in Ukraine. The order is part of an agreement with Norway’s Ministry of Defense, which will procure an additional 1,000 Black Hornet unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for Ukrainian forces. The contract also includes spare parts, maintenance, and training for Ukrainian operators and instructors.
Norway had previously donated nearly 300 Black Hornet systems to Ukraine through the International Fund for Ukraine, led by the United Kingdom. The success of these reconnaissance drones in Ukraine has led to the satisfaction of Ukrainian authorities and the decision to procure more from Norway.
The Black Hornet 3, designed and manufactured by Teledyne FLIR in Norway, is an award-winning pocket-sized UAV weighing only 33 grams (less than 0.1 pounds) and measuring 168 millimeters (less than seven inches) in length. It is specifically designed for operations in highly contested and GPS-denied environments, offering near-silent operation and a flight time of up to 25 minutes. The Black Hornet provides live visible and thermal video feeds to the user.
Dr. JihFen Lei, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Teledyne FLIR Defense, expressed pride in supporting Norway’s efforts to assist Ukrainian forces. The Black Hornet has proven to be a game-changing technology, enhancing the safety and effectiveness of soldiers during missions.
Black Hornet drones are already in use by Ukrainian forces following the donations made by the Norwegian and British governments last year. These drones have demonstrated success in numerous operations conducted under challenging conditions. Teledyne FLIR Defense has delivered over 14,000 Black Hornet PRS systems to military and security forces in more than 40 countries.
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The United States Army has also recognized the value of the Black Hornet and has placed orders worth over $140 million in the past five years, including for the Soldier Borne Sensor program. The ongoing adoption of the Black Hornet system by various military organizations worldwide showcases its reliability and effectiveness in providing critical reconnaissance capabilities.
