The flying reconnaissance plane

Tactical small drones are currently on everyone's lips. These unmanned aircraft are becoming increasingly important for military and police applications. Former Jagdkommando soldier Martin Held with over 10 years of experience in the operations companies has recently added a very special specimen of this species to his range. 

As an entrepreneur (HERO.aero GmbH) and expert in "civil" drone services, he has subjected an adapted and specially tailored DJI Neo "Tactical" to his very personal acid test. He slipped into the "old" Multicam gear and thoroughly tested the affordable, versatile all-rounder. True to the motto "Numquam Retro".

The real highlight of the drone is the tactical light module. It is a specially bright and lightweight custom-made product. It is primarily used to illuminate the ground under the drone so that self-stabilization without GPS works well in closed spaces even in total darkness. Of course, the near area is also sufficiently illuminated up to about 30m in enclosed spaces. Desired side effect for the counterpart - the light is a real eye-catcher and an attention or if necessary a bullet magnet.

Furthermore, the system impresses with its compact design. Specially made Kydex holsters, available in all colors, provide good attachment options as well as rattle-free transport. The set includes a tandem holster for remote control and drone, as well as one for the spare drone as a single holster. Once released from the holster, the drone is ready for takeoff in just 20 seconds. In most cases, this is even faster than the Breacher attaching the charge to the inner door.

The applications for the small "buddy" are limitless. Special situations, open doors, long corridors as well as the inspection of ingress points after opening. The outdoor performance is also remarkable and there is nothing standing in the way of using it for reconnaissance or close protection in rural areas. Particularly interesting is the fact that the 4K camera can be tilted up and down a full 180°. This allows for reconnaissance of stairwells, stairs, ducts, or hatches. Since the drone does not require a round protective cage, like some other models on the market, a clear view in all directions is always guaranteed.

The little powerhouse is particularly interesting for EOD/IEDD scenarios as well as for exploration in ordnance situations. With its high-resolution camera, relatively low downwash, and compact design, complemented by excellent zoom properties, even the smallest details can be accurately captured. The display light is pleasant in dark environments but also bright enough in the sun. The touchscreen can also be easily operated with mission gloves. The range of the radio control extends to more than 100m even with massive structures.

Since at its core it is still a robust DJI drone, the construction, flight characteristics, and resistance to environmental influences are beyond doubt. Particularly charming is the fact that the drone can be easily and affordably replaced relatively quickly with appropriate use or external influences. Even as an absolute beginner, tactical flying is easily learnable. The drone itself is equipped with various AI features that ensure safe operation and autonomous stabilization. 

Optically, the DJI Neo "Tactical" harmoniously complements any equipment. The stone gray color goes well with both police gray/blue and olive and multicam. Reservations about products from China or even skepticism about data protection and IT security can be quickly dispelled. The included BOS Service Package (LDM Mode) prevents data from leaving and no auto-updates introduce viruses or trojans.

In summary, the advantages are clear. Compact size at an affordable price. Due to its robust design, the drone forgives even the occasional crash. The Neo "Tactical" can be carried by any operator on the belt like a flashbang and can be quickly and easily deployed in a situation-specific manner. The flight control is very intuitive and does not require long training sessions. With flight times of over 20 minutes, the endurance is quite acceptable.

The tactical set is already available at low 4-digit Euro amounts consisting of the following parts:

• 2x DJI Neo 
• 1x RC Plus remote control
• 1x Tandem holster
• 1x Single holster
• 4x Tactical light module
• 6x battery
• 2x charger
• 1x transport case

The DJI Neo "Tactical" is available on request at [email protected] and details can be found at www.HERO.aero. In addition, workshops and trainings are offered upon delivery - of course gladly by the boss personally.  

HERO online