Black Recon Autonomous Micro-Drone

Teledyne FLIR Defense shows at Eurosatory the market launch of Black Recon, an autonomously launched micro-drone system that delivers continuous, untethered reconnaissance from military vehicles and fixed installations. Designed for vehicle integration, Black Recon allows crews to launch, operate, recover, and recharge up to three unmanned aerial systems without leaving their platform, reducing risk and accelerating decision-making.

Key system capabilities include:

• Autonomous launch, recovery, and recharge from the safety of the platform
• Three-UAV rotation for near-continuous overwatch
• Thermal and visible payloads for real-time imagery and targeting data
• Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-denied operation enabled by advanced sensors and visual navigation
• Radio-silent missions using Visual Inertial Navigation, without reliance on RF links
• Extended range and radio coverage through onboard relay capability
• Compatible operation with Black Hornet 4 nano-drone
• Optional 100-gram mission modules for future lethality, sensor, and CBRN payloads
• A Fully Integrated, Autonomous Reconnaissance Capability

Black Recon is a compact, hardened system for vehicles or fixed installations that deploys up to three micro-UAVs in rotation for persistent surveillance. Each UAV launches autonomously, performs reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition (RSTA) missions, then returns to the launcher for capture, docking, and recharging. The result is uninterrupted ISR coverage day or night while keeping personnel protected inside the platform.
Designed for ‘Dynamic Reusability’ in High-Tempo Operations

Unlike legacy drones adapted for dismounted use, Black Recon is engineered for mounted platforms, enabling immediate ISR deployment without external aviation support.

With 50- to 60-minute flight times and speeds up to 25 m/s per UAV, Black Recon extends surveillance beyond traditional engagement ranges, supporting continuous target tracking, rapid threat detection, and shortening the decision cycle across all mission profiles.

Low SWaP, High Performance

Weighing less than 450 grams, each Black Recon UAV combines low size, weight, and power with advanced sensing derived from Teledyne FLIR Defense’s proven nano-UAS portfolio. Autonomous navigation allows missions to continue in GPS-jammed or spoofed environments.

Originally developed for military use, Black Recon’s flexible architecture also supports public safety and security applications, including:

• Remote first responder deployments for law enforcement
• Border and perimeter security
• Critical infrastructure monitoring
• Maritime and riverine patrols

Its rugged, network-enabled design supports both fixed and mobile deployment, providing rapid situational awareness in remote and hard-to-reach environments.

Black Recon’s open mission-module architecture is built to evolve with operational requirements. Planned future modules include lethality payloads and CBRN detection sensors, expanding the system from persistent reconnaissance to hazard detection and active engagement.

Black Recon is available for order now, with deliveries expected to begin in 2027.