The website “hotcars” (hotcars) describes why the U.S. Army uses the “Black Hornet” nano-drones. The price of a single unit is reportedly only $195,000.
For nearly three decades, unmanned aerial vehicles have been changing the way warfare is conducted, and since their groundbreaking use in the first Gulf War, they have cemented their place on the battlefield. Global powers, from the United States to India to China (Communist Party), are looking for new technologies to gain dominance in the skies.
But when it comes to drones, really, bigger isn’t always better. Soldiers on the ground will always want to reduce weight, and war zones don’t always have runways of a certain length for large drones to launch from. On top of that, maneuverability and stealth are two important qualities of reconnaissance drones that don’t improve with size.
However, a Norwegian company may have solved all of these problems with its Black Hornet nanocopter drone. While NASA lists the RQ-4 Global Hawk for military and weather applications – with a wingspan of more than 116 feet and a weight of more than 13 tons – the bug-sized Black Hornet weighs just 16 grams and measures just under 4 inches long.
Let’s see why the military likes this tiny Black Hornet drone.
This drone is small enough to squeeze in your hand.
“The most obvious difference between the Black Hornet and traditional drones – such as the Global Hawk, MQ-9 Reaper and the new Loyal Wingman – is its size. The Norwegian company responsible for the Black Hornet has made it its mission to “develop and produce the world’s smallest and most advanced” drone. This miniature drone, the size of a soldier’s finger, seems to have fulfilled that promise.
Of course, small size means light weight, which soldiers on the ground love. A U.S. soldier often has to carry equipment that weighs more than 60 pounds, such as ammunition, body armor, water and other gear; sometimes that number is closer to 100 pounds, according to National Public Radio (NPR). With the Black Hornet, soldiers have an advantageous tool in their hands that weighs a fraction of a pound.
The Black Hornet drone is more than just convenient. It also has the ability to accomplish tasks that cannot be accomplished by similar traditional vehicles. While it cannot carry the payload of the MQ-9A Reaper, the Black Hornet UAV is unmatched in its role in aerial surveillance. It can simply take off from a soldier’s hand and does not require a large temporary area to launch the Black Hornet. It can also work in tight spaces such as corridors. This allows a soldier to deploy a drone exactly where it is needed, almost instantly.
Minimal cost in comparison
Some reports say the Black Hornet costs just $195,000 per aircraft. A U.S. Air Force report details that the cost of a Reaper is more than $16 million, a significant savings if the Black Hornet is used as a replacement for missions such as personal reconnaissance.
The low cost also allows the dragonfly-sized drones to expand their role on the battlefield. A low cost like the Black Hornet means it is essentially expendable. Given this, it is useful in high-risk applications for explosive ordnance disposal. “The Black Hornet can be used to survey suspected bombs, take the guesswork out of the scene for technicians in EOD, and help technicians develop a plan to eliminate the device. Driverless vehicles are already being used to reduce risk to soldiers, and new machines are being developed to further reduce risk. “The Black Hornet nano-drone is another way to help take some of the dangers of war out of the hands of soldiers.
Of course, as production numbers increase, marginal costs will continue to decrease.
Of course, with its featherweight and pocket-sized price tag, the Black Hornet is useless if it can’t get the job done. However, the drone is capable and powerful, equipped with three cameras. As described in a detailed press release, the Black Hornet has a variety of visible spectrum and thermal imaging lenses on board. These lenses can be used both to relay live video feeds to the operator and to take still images for later analysis.
The drone’s small size does not prevent it from performing in battlefield conditions. The drone can fly at 21 kilometers per hour and has a range of up to 1,200 meters, according to ArmyTimes.
“The Black Hornet is capable, cost-effective and convenient, and the Army hopes to continue to expand its use on the battlefield. Surveillance technology has long desired bug-sized drones for target surveillance, and the Black Hornet drone is finally achieving what many have long desired.
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