Teledyne FLIR’s Black Hornet 4 wins U.S. Defense Innovation Unit’s Blue UAS challenge

The Blue UAS Refresh event took place at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, California, where over 35 drone products were evaluated by military operators. Following rigorous testing, the Black Hornet 4 was chosen for its exceptional performance in reconnaissance and surveillance operations.

As a winner of the Blue UAS Refresh, the Black Hornet 4 will now enter the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and cybersecurity verification process. Upon successful completion, it will receive an Authority to Operate (ATO) and be listed on the Blue UAS List, granting DoD and U.S. government users access to an approved, secure drone platform.

Teledyne FLIR Defense President Dr. JihFen Lei expressed confidence in the Black Hornet 4’s continued success. She highlighted the system’s impact on military operations and noted that its selection for the U.S. Army’s Soldier Borne Sensor Tranche 2 program further strengthens its position as a key asset for armed forces.

Designed as a next-generation nano-drone, the Black Hornet 4 provides small military units with enhanced covert situational awareness. Equipped with a 12-megapixel daytime camera and high-resolution thermal imager, it delivers clear video and still images while maintaining a low visual and audible signature.

Weighing just 70 grams, the Black Hornet 4 can fly for over 30 minutes at distances exceeding three kilometres, even in 25-knot winds and rainy conditions. Its advanced flight performance is supported by obstacle avoidance technology and the ability to operate in GPS-denied environments.

Compared to traditional quad-rotor drones, the single-rotor Black Hornet 4 is optimised for stealth, allowing operators to detect and assess threats undetected. With a launch time of under 20 seconds, it is designed for rapid target identification and real-time battlefield assessment.

Teledyne FLIR Defense has delivered more than 33,000 Black Hornet drones to military and security forces in over 45 countries. The U.S. Army has been acquiring the system since 2018, with cumulative contracts exceeding $300 million, including a $91 million order for the Black Hornet 4 in October 2024.