Am I doing the math wrong? Or is this just cute little copter just crazy expensive?
The nano helicopter has been developed by Prox Dynamics AS of Norway as part of a £20m contract for 160 units with Marlborough Communications Ltd (MCL), Surrey.
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What is the NANO or Micro -available in the non-military market -that comes the closest to the Black Hornet? At a decent price? Here are the specs for you guys: It’s design and functionality is closely linked to the Personal Reconnaissance System concept. This is evident in the system size, layout and simplicity, but most importantly in the performance and specifications of the system.The air vehicle itself weighs 16g and comprises all the subsystems found in larger systems; an advanced autopilot capable of autonomous flight; a payload consisting of three daylight cameras that provides tilt and zoom functions; and a single digital data link which is used to uplink vehicle and payload commands, and downlink compressed image and system data at ranges up to 1,000 metres. The internal rechargeable battery provides endurance of more than 25 minutes depending on wind conditions and operating radius. Navigation and flight guidance is performed by the inertial reference unit and the onboard GPS. Total weight of all electronics including processors, antennas, gyros, accelerometers, pressure sensor, compass, GPS and PCB is only three grams. Flight control is provided through the autopilot using a simple and innovative rotor mechanism consisting of only a handful moving parts. The air vehicle is capable of operating in 10-15 knots winds thanks to the agility and maneuverability offered by single rotor designs. The ground element of the BLACK HORNET system consist of a Base station, a hand Controller and an external Display. The Base station is the hub of the system providing the operating system, main electronics, internal batteries and chargers. In addition it is used to house, recharge and protect the air vehicles when they are not in use. The Controller is used for all system interfaces including controlling the air vehicle and the payload. As seen in the pictures the system does not employ a joystick for aircraft control, but rather utilizes the capabilities of the autopilot and simple to understand button functions to command the aircraft. The Controller also contain the ground part of the data link a GPS.
Main features of the PD-100 system:
The PD-100 Personal Reconnaissance System (PRS) is a complete nano UAS consisting of two nano helicopters, base station, single hand controller, display unit and pouch.
Total system weight is 1.3 Kg. The system is delivered in a waterproof hard case.
NANO AIR VEHICLE
The nano air vehicles are inherently safe and pose virtually no risk to other air vehicles or personnel, allowing the system to be operated almost anywhere at any time without prior airspace coordination. The Black Hornet’s small size and electric motors makes it virtually inaudible and invisible beyond short distances.
Dimensions 120 mm rotor diameter, 16 grams
Endurance 25 minutes
Max speed 6 knots ground speed
You ask about the C2 range is, I ask what the C4 capacity is. 8-)
I wonder if it can fly 3D ?
At that price it better fly 4D !
thanks, sent you a mssg I guess I was a little too late, thank you!
Emery: That user has now been banned for inappropriate images. Sorry about that.
^plz delete that
I found some specs for this. Up to 25 minute endurance, 1 km range, speed 22 kmh, can operate in 10-15 knot winds, 3 cameras with tilt/zoom, autopilot capable of autonomous flight, failsafe RTL function. Telemetry & video link (which I suspect is encrypted)
Most impressive, though: the total weight of all electronics, including processors, antennas, gyros, accelerometers, pressure sensor, compass, GPS and PCB is 3 grams. Compare that to the 16 grams of the uBlox GPS module alone. The entire drone weighs less than the uBlox GPS.
While I often question the cost of military hardware, there's no info on what is included in the contract, so simple division is not likely accurate. Also, this level of miniaturization doesn't come cheap. Finally, it gives great value if it provides a look into dangerous areas without risking lives, or provides accurate targeting for a missile (Hellfire's are about $70,000 each, Tomahawks about $1.5 million).
It would be interesting to know, how the technology differs from commercial available of the shelf components. At least according to the sytem specifications, the Prox Dynamics PD-100 'Black Hornet' Personal Reconnaissance System is under Norwegian Arms Control.
Some people have free beta testers.
Range has to be way short with VTx, Control and motor power. Perhaps one-way mission to see a block away. At that point, Skeet anyone?
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