Prox Dynamics Black Hornet Nano Micro Scout Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)

Specifications

Year: 2006
Manufacturer(s): Marlborough Communications Ltd - UK / Prox Dynamics - Norway
Production: 200
Capabilities: Unmanned;

Crew: 1
Length: 0.33 ft (0.1 m)
Width: 0.10 ft (0.03 m)

Power: 1 x Battery-powered motor driving a two-bladed main rotor and two-bladed tail rotor.

Operators: United Kingdom

The future of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles goes beyond the large, missile-carrying platforms commonly showcased by the media. The Black Hornet Nano, currently in service with British forces, represents another direction in drone service - small, highly compact, low profile UAVs intended for simple reconnaissance work where their size makes them hardly detectable to enemy combatants. The Black Hornet Nano was developed by Proz Dynamics AS of Norway with production handled by Marlborough Communications Ltd. The British military has ordered 160 of the type and has actively fielded them in the Afghanistan Theater of War where they are used to locate potential hidden threats and provide unparalleled situational awareness. It is more or less a scout helicopter of the modern battlefield though developed to be no larger than a child's toy.

The Black Hornet Nano fits easily into the palm of an adult hand, measuring just 4 inches long by 1 inch wide while weighing just 0.6 ounces. It features a simple boxy fuselage containing a small camera whose feed is sent wirelessly to a hand-held terminal displaying the full motion video or still imagery captured by the Black Hornet. The terminal is also used to control the little system in flight. A thin stem is set at the rear of the fuselage and mounts a two-bladed tail rotor to offset the torque produced by the main rotor which is another two-blade assembly. Power is supplied by onboard batteries.

Armament

None. Full-motion/still image camera installed.

Variants / Models

• Black Hornet Nano - Base Series Designation