Bill Carey

Sensor supplier FLIR Systems is now a drone manufacturer after acquiring a company that makes the miniature helicopter host of its coin-sized Lepton infrared sensor. The Norwegian company—Prox Dynamics—scored a breakthrough in 2012 when it sold the 18-gram (0.6 ounce) PD-100 Black Hornet <a href="http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2013-02-22/british-army-deploys-micro-uav-not-watchkeeper">to the British Army</a>; it says 15 nations now use the tiny surveillance drone.

 


FLIR announced on November 30 that it has acquired Prox Dynamics, based in Hvalstad, Norway, for $134 million. It said it will invest in improving the range, cost and performance of the PD-100 “personal reconnaissance system,” which consists of a pocket-sized base station containing two Black Hornets, a display and a hand controller, weighing 1.3 kilograms (2.8 pounds) in total. Prox Dynamics will become the FLIR Unmanned Aerial Systems line of business.

 


“This acquisition adds a unique unmanned aerial systems capability to our portfolio,” said Andy Teich, FLIR president and CEO. “The Prox Dynamics team has created a highly differentiated solution, incorporating our Lepton sensor, for advanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance that fits well with our vision for growth for our Surveillance segment.”

 


The battery-powered Black Hornet live streams video and “snapshot” images to its operator via a proprietary two-way radio link. Its advertised range is 1.6 km (1 mile) with endurance of 25 minutes. Prox Dynamics introduced a “night” version of the drone fitted with an infrared sensor in 2015; according to FLIR, it uses the dime-sized Lepton longwave infrared imager, consisting of a lens fabricated in wafer form and an uncooled microbolometer focal plane array to sense radiation.

 


“It is very sophisticated, but it is also very intuitive and simple for the operator,” said Arne Skjaerpe, a former brigadier general with the Norwegian army who represented Prox Dynamics at the Xponential unmanned systems conference in New Orleans earlier this year. The company has produced 4,000 individual Black Hornet helicopters, he said.

 


Prox Dynamics has an office in Alexandria, Virginia, and has sold some PD-100 systems to the U.S. Marine Corps for test and evaluation and also provided the system for demonstration at the U.S. Army’s Expeditionary Warrior Experiment at Fort Benning, Georgia, according to Skjaerpe. In addition to military applications, the company promotes the system for law enforcement and search-and-rescue missions.

News and issues relating to civil and military unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) of all kinds and sizes, including those used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), combat (unmanned combat air vehicles, or UCAVs), law enforcement, research and other applications. Of particular focus is the FAA's planned integration of UAS into the U.S. national airspace system.

FLIR Acquires Maker of 'Black Hornet' Mini Surveillance Drone

The sensor manufacturer plans to improve the range, performance and cost of the pocket-sized surveillance system the British military uses.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Hanneke Weitering

Unspecified fixed-wing UAS will feature SiCore battery cells

Amprius Inks $15 Million Battery Deal with Drone Maker

News, issues, personnel, equipment and developments about air traffic management.

Air traffic control voice relay tests will evaluate sound quality and latency

FAA Contracts Aura to Test Uncrewed Aircraft Integration

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Ascendance and Delair partner on hybrid UAV for French DGA 

Ascendance's Hybrid Propulsion System To Power French Drones

Sarah Rose

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Pilot " is “deeply remorseful for his mistake”

Drone Pilot Who Crashed into CL-415 Waterbomber Pleads Guilty

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

More In Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Amprius Inks $15 Million Battery Deal with Drone Maker

Unspecified fixed-wing UAS will feature SiCore battery cells

FAA Contracts Aura to Test Uncrewed Aircraft Integration

Air traffic control voice relay tests will evaluate sound quality and latency

Ascendance's Hybrid Propulsion System To Power French Drones

Ascendance and Delair partner on hybrid UAV for French DGA

Drone Pilot Who Crashed into CL-415 Waterbomber Pleads Guilty

Pilot " is “deeply remorseful for his mistake”

Canadian Airline Nolinor Orders Kona Cargo Freighters

The charter operator agreed to buy multiple Kona production slots from Natilus

Pipistrel Flies Nuuva V300 Multi-role Drone for the First Time

Remotely monitored autonomous aircraft will have a payload of 600 pounds and range of 300 nm

Dufour Set To Ship Aero2 Drones to Customers for Real-world Feedback

Swiss company has completed an initial round of test flights with the hybrid-electric tiltwing

PteroDynamics Expands Horizons for Transwing VTOL Aircraft

Military and challenging commercial logistics applications are priorities

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN