The Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) Technology Office, arm’s length body of the UK Ministry of Defense, intends to procure nano-unmanned aerial systems, according to a recent notice on the EU’s Tenders Electronic Daily (TED).

According to a notice in the EU’s TED, the DE&S intends to procure 30 FLIR Black Hornet PRS systems for research and development into a capability gap identified by Army HQ in its nano-Unmanned Air System (nUAS) space.

The total cost of the contract is GBP 1.3 million ($1.7m).

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This contract expands the use of FLIR’s Black Hornet for British Army and suggests a possible increase in the order in the future.

The FLIR Black Hornet equips the non-specialist dismounted soldier with immediate covert situational awareness.

Game-changing EO and IR technology bridge the gap between aerial and ground-based sensors, with the same situational awareness as a larger unmanned aerial vehicle and threat location capabilities of unmanned ground vehicles. Extremely light, nearly silent, and with a flight time up to 25 minutes, the combat-proven, pocket-sized Black Hornet transmits live video and HD still images back to the operator.

According to defense contractor FLIR Systems Inc, Black Hornet arms modern warfighters with an easy to carry, truly pocket-sized solution they can deploy anywhere day or night for immediate covert situational awareness.

Troops can hold a safe position while the stealthy Black Hornet takes on the mission of quietly looking for threats around corners, overhead, or beyond the next ridge.

With a more comprehensive lay of the land, Black Hornet lets soldiers clear access with greater confidence, maneuver with speed, and gain the high ground.