A $17.5 million contract awarded to Teledyne FLIR Defense will see Switzerland acquire large numbers of the Black Hornet 4 nano drone, enhancing the ISR capabilities of its armored engineering units. The miniature UAS will be paired with the Piranha 8×8 vehicle, providing a dismountable reconnaissance sensor to support situational awareness on the battlefield.
The agreement includes the redevelopment of the Black Hornet’s software to ensure full synchronization with the Piranha’s onboard digital systems, enabling live aerial feeds to be viewed directly by the vehicle crew. Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace will contribute through its Integrated Combat Solution, allowing the system to generate targeting data for the Piranha’s remote weapon station in addition to real-time video transmission.
Teledyne FLIR confirmed that the Black Hornet can be deployed and recovered while the Piranha is in motion. The Black Hornet 4 is 255 millimeters long, with a rotor diameter of 190 millimeters and a maximum speed of 10 meters per second. It is designed for hand launch in under 20 seconds and can collect optical, acoustic, and electromagnetic intelligence within a 2-kilometer range. The drone is capable of operating in wind gusts up to 25 knots and temperatures spanning –20 to 43 degrees Celsius.
