Transformers may be sci-fi but not all the tech features in the live-action movies were alien-tech. The palm-size drones you have seen in Age of Extinction exist, albeit a lot smaller and less “cool” looking. The real-life version was introduced back in 2011 by a Norwegian company Prox Dynamics AS and in 2014, it was revealed it was working with the U.S. Army for squad-level use.
There was even a toy version too. In 2016, Teledyne FLIR acquired Prox Dynamics AS and continued to innovate on this tiny reconnaissance drone. In October 2023, Teledyne FLIR revealed its new Black Hornet 4 Personal Reconnaissance System at the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) conference in D.C.
It is still not as sci-fi as the movie’s interpretation; it still looks like a miniature helicopter, not a fancy horizontal rotary device. And it is definitely as small as ever.
The Black Hornet 4 offers advanced situational awareness with a 12-megapixel camera, superior low-light performance, and a high-resolution thermal imager.
Weighing 70 grams, it boasts over 30 minutes of flight time, a range of more than two kilometers (1.24 miles+), and can operate in 25-knot winds, enhanced by obstacle avoidance capabilities and an advanced battery.
Its low visual and audible signature makes it ideal for covert operations, capable of launching in under 20 seconds and performing in GPS-denied environments.
The system is designed for immediate intelligence gathering, crucial for dismounted soldiers.
Over 20,000 units have been delivered globally, with significant use in Ukraine and a strong adoption by the U.S. Army, which recently awarded a contract worth up to US$94 million for additional systems.
If anyone’s interested, you can learn more HERE.
Images: Teledyne FLIR.