WILSONVILLE, Ore. – Teledyne FLIR Defense in Wilsonville, Ore., is introducing a technology concept to enable crews to launch small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) autonomously from inside military vehicles; perform reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition (RSTA); and then recover the aircraft without leaving the vehicle.
The Black Recon Vehicle Reconnaissance System (VRS) features a micro-UAV able to withstand the shock and vibration of traveling on infantry and other fighting vehicles.
The system is built to provide continuous untethered reconnaissance at flight speeds that enable the UAV to work ahead of advancing vehicles, and supply situational awareness even beyond line of sight.
Fitted inside hardened launch boxes mounted to military vehicles, Black Recon's deployment system can launch as many as three UAVs during a mission. When one returns, a cradle-arm recovers the drone autonomously that tracks, captures, and docks the UAV - day or night. The system then automatically recharges the UAV for its next mission.
Black Recon uses thermal and visible-light cameras to deliver live imagery and targeting information to vehicle crews. Operators can use the system for assessing if terrain is passable, sweeping for mines and improvised explosive devices, or performing close-up inspection under bridges using onboard illumination.
For more information contact Teledyne FLIR Defense online at www.flir.com/applications/government-defense.
