Photo Credit: FLIR Black Hornet Drone

By Debbie Gregory.

The U.S. Army has placed an order with FLIR Systems Inc. for $39.6 million worth of the company’s Black Hornet Personal Reconnaissance System (PRS) drones. The Army is procuring these units as part of its Soldier Borne Sensor (SBS) program.

The nano-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) resembles a tiny helicopter and flies almost silently. The electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) technology bridges the gap between aerial and ground-based sensors, with the same threat location capabilities of unmanned ground vehicles. The Black Hornets are extremely light, nearly silent, and have a flight time up to 25 minutes.

The PRS gives soldiers the capability of using the onboard camera to look around corners in urban areas or recon unfamiliar terrain, and can transmit live video and HD still images back to the operator.

“We are proud to be selected by the U.S. Army for the SBS Program of Record; this contract represents a significant milestone with the operational large-scale deployment of nano-UAVs into the world’s most powerful Army,” said Jim Cannon, president and CEO of FLIR Systems.

To date, FLIR has delivered more than 8,000 Black Hornet nano-UAVs around the world.

“This contract is a major win for the newly established Unmanned Systems & Integrated Solutions business division at FLIR and demonstrates the strong and urgent demand for nano-UAV technology offered by FLIR. Protecting U.S. warfighters with our unmanned solutions is a key objective for FLIR,” Cannon added.

The company has announced plans to expand its Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) service and repair center in Somerset, Kentucky, to meet the demand for UAS support.

FLIR continues to gain importance as a major military supplier, with an additional $29.7 million Army contract for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Dismounted Reconnaissance Sets and related Kits and Outfits (CBRN DR-SKO) systems in a five year deal. Production for this order will continue to be performed out of FLIR’s facility in Elkridge, Maryland.

Veteran and Military Business Owners Association, VAMBOA,

By Debbie Gregory.

The United States Air Force has awarded a $15.6 million contract for “counter-unmanned aerial systems” to an Israeli firm to attack small drones like the ones used by Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria.

ELTA North America Inc. is a global leader in the design, manufacture and support of innovative electronic systems for the United States government.  The company is a U.S. subsidiary of Israeli Aerospace Industries.

The type of system and its technology whether it uses electronic jamming, conventional missiles, a combination of both, or some other method to down enemy drones has not been announced. But the contract specifically references 21 Man Portable Aerial Defense System Kits that will be produced in Israel, with the delivery and training to continental U.S. locations expected to be completed by July 28, 2017.

The Defense of Department considers the system purchased so important that it given ELTA a no-bid contract. Pentagon officials consider the buy a “Joint Emergent Operational Need,” meaning it is a response to a problem on the battlefield that requires fast-tracking through the acquisition system.

The Air Force has several projects to counter small drones and is testing multiple technologies and systems, said Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek.

“Current Air Force efforts to counter hostile small unmanned aerial systems (UASs) are primarily focused on non-kinetic options ranging in size from handheld technology to larger stationary and mobile systems that can be operated on the ground or in the air,” Stefanek said. “Although the primary focus of the service’s efforts is non-kinetic, kinetic options to defeat small UASs are also being explored.” Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity.

The Air Force is planning to have a formal program for countering small drones on the books by the end of fiscal year 2018, Stefanek said.