Mini helicopter drone for UK troops in Afghanistan

[indian_foxhound]

The Ministry of Defence plans to purchase 160 of
the mini drones


British soldiers in Afghanistan have become the
first to use miniature surveillance helicopters in
frontline operations. The drones can fly around corners and obstacles
to identify potential hidden dangers, the Ministry
of Defence said. The Norwegian-designed Black Hornet Nano
features a tiny camera and relays video and still
images to a handheld control terminal. It measures about 10cm by 2.5cm (4in by 1in)
and weighs 16g (0.6oz). The MoD, which also operates more than 300
larger-sized unmanned air vehicles in
Afghanistan, said the Black Hornet is carried
easily on patrol and works in harsh
environments and windy conditions. They have been in use in Afghanistan since 2012,
a spokeswoman confirmed. Surrey-based Marlborough Communications has a
£20m contract with the military to supply and
maintain 160 of the drones, which were
originally developed by Prox Dynamics for search
and rescue operations. Mini drones can be piloted directly or
programmed to follow co-ordinates using GPS. Powered by battery, the Black Hornet is reported
to have a range of about half a mile (800m), a top
speed of 22mph (35kph) and can fly for up to 30
minutes. They can help soldiers on the ground pinpoint
hidden Taliban fighters and explosives. Sgt Christopher Petherbridge, of the Brigade
Reconnaissance Force in Afghanistan, said: "We
used it to look for insurgent firing points and
check out exposed areas of the ground before
crossing, which is a real asset. "It is very easy to operate and offers amazing
capability to the guys on the ground." Defence minister Philip Dunne said intelligence,
surveillance and reconnaissance systems were a
"key component" of the MoD's investment in new
equipment over the next 10 years. Spending outlined last month also includes almost
£36bn for a new generation of nuclear-powered
submarines, almost £19bn for combat aircraft,
and around £17bn for Royal Navy warships.
BBC News - Mini helicopter drone for UK troops in Afghanistan

 

[Reashot Xigwin]

British troops in Afghanistan are the first to use state-of-the-art handheld nano surveillance helicopters.

The Black Hornet Nano Unmanned Air Vehicle measures around 4 inches by 1 inch (10cm x 2.5cm) and provides troops on the ground with vital situational awareness.

The Black Hornet is equipped with a tiny camera which gives troops reliable full-motion video and still images. Soldiers are using it to peer around corners or over walls and other obstacles to identify any hidden dangers and the images are displayed on a handheld terminal.

Sergeant Scott Weaver launches a Black Hornet Nano Unmanned Air Vehicle from a compound in Afghanistan [Picture: Sergeant Rupert Frere RLC, Crown Copyright/MOD 2013]

This revolutionary new system - the size of a child’s toy - is carried easily on patrol and is capable of performing in harsh environments and windy conditions.

The Black Hornet weighs as little as 16 grams and has been developed by Prox Dynamics AS of Norway as part of a £20 million contract for 160 units with Marlborough Communications Ltd in Surrey.

Sergeant Christopher Petherbridge of the Brigade Reconnaissance Force in Afghanistan said:

Black Hornet is definitely adding value, especially considering the lightweight nature of it. We use it to look for insurgent firing points and check out exposed areas of the ground before crossing, which is a real asset. It is very easy to operate and offers amazing capability to the guys on the ground.

Sergeant Scott Weaver launches a Black Hornet Nano Unmanned Air Vehicle from a compound in Afghanistan [Picture: Sergeant Rupert Frere RLC, Crown Copyright/MOD 2013]

Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, Philip Dunne, said:

Black Hornet gives our troops the benefits of surveillance in the palm of their hands. It is extremely light and portable whilst out on patrol.

Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems are a key component in our 10-year equipment plan and now that we have balanced the Defence Budget we are able to confidently invest in these kinds of cutting-edge technologies.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/miniature-surveillance-helicopters-help-protect-front-line-troops