Prox Dynamics is developing pocket-size unmanned aerial vehicles for the U.S. Army as part of the latter’s Cargo Pocket Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance program to bolster squad-level ISR capabilities, FierceGovernmentIT reported Thursday.Henry Kenyon reports that the GPS-operated PD-100 Black Hornet miniature helicopter weighs 16 grams and is equipped with three cameras and a digital data link for real-time video transmission.
“It provides an integrated capability for the solider and small unit for increased situational awareness and understanding with negligible impact on soldier load and agility,” said Laurel Allender, acting director of the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center.
According to the report, the center oversees the CP-ISR program, which also seeks to develop systems to support squads’ use of small UAVs.
Kenyon notes that work on the guidance, navigation and control systems is ongoing, while the data link would be redesigned for compatibility with the Army’s data and communications standards.
The Black Hornet’s capabilities will be demonstrated at an Army Limited Objective Experiment in November, the report said.
