$89 Million for DrOP Programme

FLIR Systems announced on 18 January that it has been awarded a contract, with a ceiling value of $89 million, to deliver its BLACK HORNET 3 nano-UAS and Personal Reconnaissance System (PRS) to the French armed forces. The contract will be managed and executed by FLIR in Hvalstad, Norway.

The BLACK HORNET PRS, the world’s smallest combat-proven nano-UAS, is currently deployed in over 30 countries. Equipped with electro-oprical/infre-red (EO/IR) sensors and featuring endurance of up to 25 mins, the system will be used in France in support of the Operational Pocket Drone (DrOP) programme. Bridging the gap between aerial and ground-based sensors, it provides the same situational awareness and threat detection capabilities as larger unmanned air and ground vehicles.

“We are honored to support the French armed forces’ mission with the delivery of the BLACK HORNET PRS and related services,” commented FLIR President and CEO, Jim Cannon. “This award strengthens our partnership with the French armed forces and our focus on unmanned technology, an emerging area that is strategically critical to FLIR’s business.”