Black Hornet is a Norwegian-origin military nano-UAV family for dismounted reconnaissance, target identification, and immediate situational awareness. Developed by Prox Dynamics and now built by Teledyne FLIR Defense, the pocket-sized system has appeared in Afghanistan patrol use and in Ukrainian service through donated Black Hornet 3 systems, while Black Hornet 4 extends the family with longer range, endurance, obstacle avoidance, and shared controller architecture with FirstLook 125.
Norway and the United Kingdom backed Black Hornet micro-UAV donations to Ukraine, and Teledyne FLIR later announced a Norwegian order for 1,000 additional Black Hornet 3 systems, spares, maintenance, and training for Ukrainian operators and instructors.
Role detailsBritish troops used Black Hornet Nano UAVs in Afghanistan for patrol reconnaissance by 2013, and U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division paratroopers used Black Hornet Personal Reconnaissance Systems during a 2019 Kandahar foot patrol for overhead surveillance.
Role detailsBlack Hornet is built around a small-unit reconnaissance task rather than strike: a soldier can carry the controller, air vehicles, and support equipment on patrol, launch from cover, and receive video or still imagery before crossing exposed ground or entering urban terrain.
| Generation | Sensor and flight emphasis | Catalog relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Black Hornet Nano / PD-100 | Very small visual surveillance helicopter used by British forces in Afghanistan to look around corners, over walls, and across exposed ground. | Directly documents early combat patrol use and the Prox Dynamics Norwegian origin. |
| Black Hornet 3 PRS | 33 g air vehicle with visible and thermal video, HD stills, near-silent flight, and up to 25 minutes endurance. | Directly tied to Ukrainian deliveries and the U.S. Army Soldier Borne Sensor baseline. |
| Black Hornet 4 PRS | 70 g air vehicle with more than 30 minutes endurance, over 3 km range, obstacle avoidance, improved low-light EO, thermal imaging, and stronger weather tolerance. | Shows the current family direction and explains the shared controller relationship with FirstLook 125. |
Black Hornet 4 shares controller and operational architecture with FirstLook 125.
| Compatible item | Item type | Compatibility evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Throwable personal reconnaissance robot | Teledyne FLIR says Black Hornet 4 shares a common controller and operational architecture with FirstLook 125, allowing one user to deploy and manage both systems. Sources: Teledyne FLIR Defense Unveils New FirstLook 125 Throwable Recon Robot |
The UK Ministry of Defence announced British troops in Afghanistan were using Black Hornet Nano UAVs to look around corners, over walls, and across exposed ground during patrols.
Sources: Miniature surveillance helicopters help protect front line troops
Teledyne FLIR says the U.S. Army began acquiring Black Hornet 3 systems in 2018 for the original Soldier Borne Sensor program.
Sources: Teledyne FLIR Defense Wins $91 Million Contract from U.S. Army for Black Hornet 4 Nano-Drones
Stars and Stripes documented U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division paratroopers launching a Black Hornet during a Kandahar foot patrol in Afghanistan.
Sources: Army brigade uses mini drones for first time in Afghanistan
Teledyne FLIR announced a Norwegian Ministry of Defense order for 1,000 additional Black Hornet 3 systems, plus spares, maintenance, and training for Ukrainian operators and instructors.
Sources: Teledyne FLIR Defense Awarded Contract to Supply 1,000 More Black Hornet Nano-Drones to Ukraine
Teledyne FLIR announced a five-year U.S. Army contract worth up to $91 million for Black Hornet 4 systems under Soldier Borne Sensor Phase II.
Sources: Teledyne FLIR Defense Wins $91 Million Contract from U.S. Army for Black Hornet 4 Nano-Drones
