Each Black Hornet system consists of two aircraft, with a single controller for the UAS and its payload and a base station. A tablet-sized monitor is also part of the package, which totals approximately 2kg (4.4lb).
The UAS carries three cameras – one looking straight ahead, one straight down and one at 45˚ forward and down. While the aircraft is flown manually to its target, it cannot be launched until it has established the GPS co-ordinates of itself and its base station. When the end of the 20min maximum flight time nears the system alerts the operator, who then has the option to command the aircraft to automatically return.
British Army operators detail Black Hornet UAV attributes.
Robin Edgar
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