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  • Writer's pictureTyesha Ferron

An Update on the Black Hornet Drone: World's Smallest Drone Deployed to Afghanistan


Image Credit: FLIR Systems, Inc

In April of this year, we published an article detailing the history of the Black Hornet Drone, also known as the world's smallest reconnaissance drone. The concept of the Black Hornet began with inventor Petter Murren, a Norwegian inventor with a proclivity for tiny UAVs. His desire to create the world's smallest and most advanced UAV led him to creating Prox Dynamics where the Black Hornet project began developing.

This drone would be a nano captor with reconnaissance capabilities for military use. It wasn’t long before Prox had a contract with British Armed forces. Eventually one contract became multiple contracts with military forces from around the world.

Meanwhile, the drones were being enhanced with technology from FLIR Systems, Inc, a company that would go on to acquire Prox Dynamics and further develop their Black Hornet project. As of this year, the latest iteration of the black hornet has been used in the field by over 30 nations.

Video Credit: FLIR Systems, Inc

Earlier this year, it was reported that the U.S. Army intended to send out Black Hornet’s to operational units and last month an update to this plan was finally released. In June, stripes.com reported that the drones would be distributed to soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan.

They also reported that other units will be receiving Black Hornets as well. The Army is still figuring out how to best employ the system throughout their brigades, so there may be more updates in the future regarding their adoption of this new technology. Regardless, Black Hornet drones are expected to become standard equipment.

 

I am a writer and an artist based in Georgia. Specializing in illustration, graphic design, and video art, I love to explore the new ways technology intersects with art. I think drones have done amazing things for photography and video art, making what would previously be costly and difficult more accessible. As a complete novice, it was only recently that I saw what independent artists could do with their drones, and I continue to be impressed by the sights that drones are able to explore and the images they can capture. Instagram: @tyesha.ferron

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