Teledyne FLIR Defense Wins $17.5 Million Contract from armasuisse to Deliver Black Hornet 4 Nano-Drones for Dismounted and Vehicle-Integrated Reconnaissance

Key Terms

uav technical

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is an aircraft that flies without a pilot on board, controlled remotely or by onboard software like a self-driving car. Investors care because UAVs are used across industries—delivery, agriculture, inspection, mapping, and defense—so demand, regulation, or technological advances can quickly affect revenue and costs for companies that make, operate, or rely on them. Think of a UAV as a robotic helper in the sky whose growing use can change market opportunities and risks.

nano-drones technical

Extremely small unmanned vehicles—often the size of insects or small devices—capable of flying, crawling or operating autonomously or by remote control. Think of them as tiny robotic bees that can carry sensors, deliver minute payloads, or work in swarms; investors watch them because they create new product and service markets, affect defense and commercial supply chains, drive specialized manufacturing and software demand, and invite regulation and safety concerns that can quickly change a company’s valuation.

intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (isr) technical

Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) is the suite of tools and activities used to collect, analyze, and share information about people, places, or objects—using sensors such as satellites, aircraft, drones, cameras, or electronic signals—to give decision-makers a clear picture of what is happening. Investors care because ISR drives defense and security spending, supports recurring contracts for hardware, software, and data services, and can signal shifts in technology demand and geopolitical risk much like a bank account reveals financial health.

integrated combat solution (ics) technical

An integrated combat solution (ICS) is a bundled system of weapons, sensors, communications, software and support services designed to work together as a single, mission-ready package for military operations. For investors, ICS deals matter because they tend to be large, multi-year contracts that create predictable revenue streams, ongoing service opportunities and higher barriers for competitors—think of it like buying a complete home-security package rather than individual locks and cameras.

remote weapon station technical

A remote weapon station is a remotely operated mounting that lets an operator aim and fire weapons from inside a vehicle, ship, or protected shelter instead of standing exposed at the gun. Think of it like a remote‑controlled turret with cameras and sensors that increases crew safety and precision. Investors watch these systems because they drive sales, spare‑parts and service revenue for defense suppliers, affect contract size and export potential, and can influence a contractor’s competitive position and profit margins.

uas technical

UAS stands for Unmanned Aircraft System, the complete setup that lets a remotely piloted aircraft (commonly called a drone) fly safely — including the aircraft itself, the ground controller, communications links and supporting equipment. Investors watch UAS because rules, technology and demand for tasks like surveying, delivery or aerial inspection directly affect companies’ sales and regulatory costs; think of it as a vehicle plus its keys, radio and support crew that together determine whether it can operate profitably.

See more from StockTitan in Google Search and AI answers. Adds StockTitan as a preferred source · opens Google

Add on Google Not now

Delivery of the Black Hornet UAV systems to Swiss Armed Forces will include drones with software and integration kit specially designed to work with Piranha 8x8 vehicle digital infrastructure

Work shows promise and market potential for UAS armored vehicle integrations to enhance tactical operations

OSLO, Norway--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Teledyne FLIR Defense, part of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE:TDY), announced that it has received a $17.5 million contract from armasuisse, the Swiss Federal Office of Defence Procurement, to deliver a large number of Black Hornet® 4 Personal Reconnaissance Systems, one of the world’s most advanced and widely deployed nano-drones. Black Hornet 4 was selected as an airborne dismountable Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capability sensor for armasuisse’s Piranha 8x8 Armored engineering vehicle program.

Teledyne FLIR Defense has won a $17.5 million contract from armasuisse, the Swiss Federal Office of Defence Procurement, to deliver a large number of Black Hornet® 4 Personal Reconnaissance Systems, one of the world’s most advanced and widely deployed nano-drones. Black Hornet 4 was selected as an airborne capability sensor for armasuisse’s Piranha 8x8 Armored engineering vehicle program. Black Hornet’s existing software is being modified to integrate with the Piranha’s digital infrastructure. Under the setup, the drone’s live video stream will be shared on vehicle displays and provide target data, coordinates, and other situational awareness to vehicle commanders and crew.

As part of the effort, Black Hornet’s existing software has been modified to be integrated with the Piranha’s digital infrastructure. Under the setup, the drone’s live video stream will be shared on vehicle displays and provide target data, coordinates, and other situational awareness to vehicle commanders and crew. The Black Hornet 4 will be integrated through harmonized military standards with the vehicles’ Integrated Combat Solution (ICS), provided by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.

Drone operators will be able to connect the Black Hornet control tablet to the vehicle ICS for either dismounted or mobile operations. After launching the UAV by hand out of the vehicle, operators can fly the Black Hornet on intelligence gathering missions while all data is simultaneously shared with the crew. Among its features, the Black Hornet can both receive waypoints from the ICS for further reconnaissance as well as generate target points that can be fed to the vehicle’s Remote Weapon Station. The solution is fully detachable during operations, so operators can dismount from the vehicle and reattach while the drone is flying.

“This first fielded-vehicle integration for the Black Hornet 4 highlights its unique tactical capabilities as a force multiplier,” said Dr. JihFen Lei, president of Teledyne FLIR Defense and senior vice president of Teledyne Technologies. “By providing the same immediate situational data to all vehicle systems and crew, we can help reduce cognitive burden and boost warfighting effectiveness.

“The armasuisse program shows the market potential for UAS integration on armored vehicles globally and the promise of ‘drone-in-a-box’ systems FLIR Defense has developed specifically for vehicles, including our Black Recon™ and SkyCarrier™ solutions,” Lei added.

Black Hornet 4 represents the next generation of lightweight nano-drones, able to provide enhanced day/night covert situational awareness to small fighting units. Its 12-megapixel daytime camera and high-resolution thermal imager deliver crisp video and still images to the operator. At just 70 grams Black Hornet 4 can survive GPS-denied and contested environments, fly for more than 30 minutes, over three kilometers, and function in 25-knot winds and rain. Flight performance is augmented by advanced obstacle avoidance capabilities and other features.

The vehicle-integrated Black Hornet 4’s were delivered in 2025. The remaining systems will be delivered during 2026.

Teledyne FLIR has delivered more than 35,000 Black Hornet drones to military and security forces in over 45 countries. The award-winning Black Hornet is designed and built by Teledyne FLIR Defense in Norway.

About Teledyne FLIR Defense

Teledyne FLIR Defense has been providing advanced, mission-critical technology and systems for more than 45 years. Our products are on the frontlines of the world’s most pressing military, security and public safety challenges. As a global leader in thermal imaging, we design and build sophisticated surveillance sensors for air, land and maritime use. We develop the most rugged, trusted unmanned air and ground platforms, as well as intelligent sensing devices used to detect chemicals, biological agents, radiation and explosives. At Teledyne FLIR Defense we bring together this expertise to deliver solutions that enable critical decisions and keep our world safe – from any threat, anywhere. To learn more, visit us online or follow @flir and @flir_defense.

About Teledyne Technologies

Teledyne Technologies is a leading provider of sophisticated digital imaging products and software, instrumentation, aerospace and defense electronics, and engineered systems. Teledyne's operations are primarily located in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Western and Northern Europe. For more information, visit Teledyne's website at www.teledyne.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260201061637/en/

Media Contact:
Joe Ailinger, Jr.
Teledyne FLIR Defense
Email: joe.ailinger@teledyne.com

Source: Teledyne FLIR Defense