Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews
  • News
    • New Products & Industry News
    • Police News
    • Military News
  • Guns
    • Rifles
    • Handguns
    • Shotguns
    • Special Weapons
  • Gear
    • Accessories
    • Ammo
    • Holsters
    • Knives
    • Optics & Sights
    • Suppressors
  • Lifestyle
    • Pop Culture
    • Training
  • Videos
No Result
View All Result
Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews
  • News
    • New Products & Industry News
    • Police News
    • Military News
  • Guns
    • Rifles
    • Handguns
    • Shotguns
    • Special Weapons
  • Gear
    • Accessories
    • Ammo
    • Holsters
    • Knives
    • Optics & Sights
    • Suppressors
  • Lifestyle
    • Pop Culture
    • Training
  • Videos
No Result
View All Result
Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews
No Result
View All Result
 
Enter to WIN Christensen Arms Modern Hunting Rifle in FREE GUN FRIDAY!

US Army’s New Black Hornet III UAS Weighs Just 2 Ounces

Tactical-Life by Tactical-Life
January 27, 2023
in Military, News
0
Black Hornet III uas closeup

Sgt. Justin L. Bertoniere, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, looks at his display as he prepares to launch the Black Hornet III during field testing at Fort A.P. Hill, Va.

0
SHARES
14
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Black Hornet III uas closeup
Sgt. Justin L. Bertoniere, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, looks at his display as he prepares to launch the Black Hornet III during field testing at Fort A.P. Hill, Va.
army flir Black Hornet III

The U.S. Army isn’t generally in the habit of doing things small, so when we saw that the service planned on buying 61 Black Hornet III small unmanned aerial systems, or SUASs, from FLIR, we took notice.

Drones in the Sky: 3 UAVs For Law Enforcement To Consider
RELATED STORY

Drones in the Sky: 3 UAVs For Law Enforcement To Consider

Black Hornet III Features

An Army news release says that the Black Hornet III weighs less than two ounces. Since Soldiers already carry a ton of gear, reducing their load is a top priority. As far as other features are concerned, the Black Hornet III is capable of flying a distance of up to two kilometers. It can remain in the air for 25 minutes. The system can take color photographs and videos simultaneously. It’s also equipped with thermal imaging, meaning it’s night vision-capable.

Additionally, the Black Hornet III comes with a docking station to charge its batteries. When the Black Hornet III is in the air, another battery can be charged for when it returns. The system also comes with a monitor which is the size of a tablet computer. When you combine the weight of the SUAS, docking station and monitor, you’re still looking at less than three pounds overall.

All the commands and data sent between the Soldier and Black Hornet III are encrypted in order to ward off possible hackers.

The Black Hornet III is also quiet. So quiet, in fact, that Capt. WaiWah Ellison, the assistant program manager for Soldier Borne Sensors at PEO Soldier, said one Soldier didn’t even notice that the SUAS was flying just a few feet behind him during recent testing at Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia. In addition, its grey paint also gives it the ability to blend into the forest or jungles. Even if it’s seen, it could be mistaken for a small bird or large insect, the Army news release says.

Uses and Delivery

In terms of possible uses, the Black Hornet III is designed to give Soldiers a quick look at what’s immediately ahead of them. So if they want to see what’s just over a hill or on the other side of a building or wall, they’d use the Black Hornet III. It’s not meant for long-term surveillance operations.

Ellison said 57 of the 61 Black Hornet III SUASs will be fielded to an unidentified infantry brigade combat team by the third quarter of next year.

Testing

Ellison added that the Black Hornet III underwent lab testing at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland and Natick in Massachusetts earlier this year. In late January, Soldiers with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division put it through its paces at Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia. The feedback was largely positive, with Soldiers praising its reliability, technical efficiency and ease of use.

It takes around 16 hours to train a Soldier how to pilot the Black Hornet III, Ellison said. To fly it, you hold it in your hand and rotate it 90 degrees one way, then 90 degrees the other way. This activates the system and gets the rotor spinning. You then turn on the monitor and acquire a GPS signal. The whole operation, from turning it on to flight, takes just over a minute.

More Black Hornet III testing will take place in October at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, by Soldiers from 7th Infantry Division based at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

Ellison said the Army is also looking at other SUAS systems, including models from AeroVironment and InstantEye Robotics.

Didn't find what you were looking for?

CLICK HERE FOR COMMENTS

RELATED POSTS

March-April 2023 Issue of Tactical Life.

March-April 2023 Issue of Tactical Life: Clint Smith Collaborations

The Final Edition of the Walther P99 pistol.

UPDATED: Final Edition Walther P99 Closes Out Model Run

ATF Pistol Stabilizing Brace guidance, fallout

Congressional Review Act to Target ATF Pistol Stabilizing Brace Rule

US Army 6.8mm Round, Next Generation Squad Weapons, M249 SAW

UPATED: Winchester Awarded NGSW Army 6.8 Ammo Contract

Load More

TACTICAL-LIFE NIGHT SHOOTER SEASON 2

Discussion about this post

FEATURED POST

The MDC “Trench Art” Classic AK-47 Rifle.

Get Your History On: Own a Limited MDC “Trench Art” Classic AK-47

Straight from the pages of history, MDC (Meridian Defense Corp) offers the chance to own a "Trench Art” classic AK-47....

Read more

TRENDING

U.S. Secret Service adopts Glock G47

FIRST LOOK: Glock Just Very Quietly Unveiled the New Glock 47 Pistol

...

5 new pistols launched at NASGW.

5 New Pistols Launching for 2023

...

Police Sidearms, police duty pistols, Handguns, America's Largest Police Departments 2018

Police Sidearms: The Handguns of America’s 10 Largest Departments

...

The new Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7 pistol packs 22+1.

Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7 Packs 22+1 Rounds of Firepower!

...

PICK A CATEGORY

TACTICS & TRAINING SPOTLIGHT

Tactical Reload Semi-Auto Pistol Step 8

5 Strategies For Effectively Completing a Tactical Reload

If you’re reading this publication, you’re most likely familiar with the “speed reload,” sometimes called the “combat reload” or “emergency...

TACTICS & TRAINING SHOWCASE

Fact vs. Fiction 5 Myths Gunfight Survival lead

5 Common Myths on How to Survive a Gunfight

Standing Your Ground Castle Doctrine lead

Understanding Stand Your Ground Laws and Castle Doctrine

long distance shooting tips

Long-Distance Shooting: 5 Must-Know Tips For Spotters & Shooters

IMPACT Experience Events.

IMPACT Experience Events Redefine Your Long-Range Shooting Limits

Enhance your shooting precision skills in a course with Modern Day Sniper.

Sniper Skills: Taking Your Shooting Precision to the Next Level

Once you find a carry gun that works for you, get another for a spare. These “hammerless” S&W J-frame lightweights are M340 M&P with Hogue Bantam grips, top, and a M442 Airweight with Crimson Trace Lasergrips, below.

10 Commandments of Concealed Carry

self-defense myths can be dangerous

Self-Defense Myths that Could Get you Killed

Mossberg 590 Shockwave review for home defense myths

4 Home Defense Myths You Need to Stop Repeating

The Dicken Drill is named for Eli Dicken who saved many lives in the Greenwood Mall

The Elisjsha Dicken Drill

AMMO SPOTLIGHT

Remington Ammunition Issues Recall Notice on 12-Gauge Premier Accutip Ammo.

Remington Ammunition Issues a 12-Gauge Premier AccuTip Ammo Recall

Remington Ammunition has recently discovered an issue related to its 12-Gauge Premier Accutip ammo and issued a recall notice. This...

site logo
Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun news, gun reviews and gun magazines for gun enthusiasts, military and law enforcement

Tactical

  • tactical-life.com

Magazines

  • Tactical Life
  • The Complete Book of Reloading
  • Guns of the Old West

Facebook

  • Tactical-Life Facebook
  • Guns of the Old West Facebook

Twitter

  • Tactical-Life Twitter

Self Defense

  • PersonalDefenseWorld.com

Magazines

  • Personal Defense World
  • Combat Handguns

Facebook

  • Personal Defense World Facebook
  • Combat Handguns

Twitter

  • Personal Defense World Twitter

Shooting Lifestyle

  • BallisticMag.com

Magazines

  • BallisticMag.com

Facebook

  • Ballistic Magazine Facebook

Twitter

  • Ballistic Magazine Twitter

Alpha Lifestyle

  • SkillsetMag.com

Magazines

  • Skillset

Facebook

  • Skillset Magazine Facebook

Twitter

  • Skillset Magazine Twitter

Instagram

  • Skillset Magazine Instagram
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • California Privacy Notice
  • Cookie Policy
© Athlon Outdoors, All Rights Reserved.
You use of this website constitutes and manifests your acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, and awareness of the California Privacy Rights. Pursuant to U.S. Copyright law, as well as other applicable federal and state laws, the content on this website may not be reproduced, distributed, displayed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, without the prior, express, and written permission of Athlon Outdoors.

Manage your GDPR consents by clicking here. Manage your CCPA consents by clicking here.
No Result
View All Result
  • Guns
    • Rifles
    • Handguns
    • Shotguns
  • Knives
  • Gear
    • Holsters
    • Optics & Sights
    • Accessories
    • Ammo
    • Suppressors
  • News
    • New Products & Industry News
    • Police News
    • Military News
  • Videos
  • Contact Us

© 2023 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.