FLIR Systems boosts expertise in electro-optical UAV sensor platforms with Prox Dynamics acquisition
WILSONVILLE, Ore., 30 Nov. 2016. Executives of electro-optical sensors experts FLIR Systems Inc. in Wilsonville, Ore., are boosting their company's expertise in small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) sensor platforms with their acquisition of Prox Dynamics AS in Hvalstad, Norway.
FLIR officials announced today that their company has acquired Prox Dynamics for $134 million in cash. Prox Dynamics is a developer and manufacturer of nano-class UAVs for military and paramilitary intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance applications.
Prox Dynamics is notable for designing the pocket-sized PD-100 personal reconnaissance system, a mobile unmanned helicopter designed to provide infantry soldiers with immediate intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capability.
U.S. Army researchers are supervising development of the Black Hornet Personal Reconnaissance System (PRS) -- a one-pound force-protection micro UAV for soldiers and small infantry units. Black Hornet is based on the Prox Dynamics PD-100 UAV.
Related: Army asks Norwegian company to design Black Hornet pocket UAV helicopter for foot soldiers
Prox Dynamics develops, manufactures, and distributes aerial sensors that are small, light, and covert surveillance systems, FLIR officials say.
The company's Black Hornet aerial sensor and a hand controller, a system that is pocket sized and hand-launched by a soldier in the field for situational awareness and mission planning.
The Black Hornet aerial sensor uses FLIR's Lepton micro thermal camera, visible spectrum cameras, advanced low-power rotor technology, and proprietary software for flight control, stabilization, and communications.
The Black Hornet helicopter is one of the lightest, stealthiest, and safest drones in the market, offering surveillance solutions for traditional military and special operations forces. It weighs less than one ounce and can fly for as long as 25 minutes at line-of-sight distances to one mile.
The addition of the Prox Dynamics business will augment FLIR's Surveillance segment by extending FLIR's airborne sensor product line and leveraging Lepton technology, FLIR officials say. Prox Dynamics will become FLIR's Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) line of business operating within the company's Surveillance segment.
For more information contact FLIR Systems online at /www.flir.com, or Prox Dynamics at www.proxdynamics.com.
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John Keller | Editor
John Keller is editor-in-chief of Military & Aerospace Electronics magazine, which provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronic and optoelectronic technologies in military, space, and commercial aviation applications. A member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since the magazine's founding in 1989, Mr. Keller took over as chief editor in 1995.
