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Combat-ready drones the size of bees are being manufactured and experimented with by the U.S. Army Special Forces.
These 18-gram drones - the smallest ever used in combat - would be used to survey areas before a Special Forces team arrives, according to DefenseOne.
The tiny drones are known as PD-100 Black Hornets and are produced by Norwegian manufacturer Prox Dynamics. They hold both a regular and thermal camera, are silent during flights and blend in well with darkness, making them the best option for aerial shots of enemy campgrounds.
The Black Hornet was specially designed for Afghanistan, according to Prox Dynamics CEO and President Arne Skjaerpe. The British Brigade Reconnaissance Force has used them successfully for the past few years.
After being launched from a holster, the drone can stay in flight for 25 minutes. It transmits information back to the box. No information is stored on the drone itself, making it untraceable if found by the enemy.
Each drone costs $40,0000.
After Fort Benning soldiers experimented with 75 prototypes and consistently held the Black Hornet in high regard, the U.S. Special Operations confirmed they considering the device but will continue researching before any final decisions are made.
-By Military 1
My issue is the price tag. Anyone see that $40,000 sticker price?
These 18-gram drones - the smallest ever used in combat - would be used to survey areas before a Special Forces team arrives, according to DefenseOne.
The tiny drones are known as PD-100 Black Hornets and are produced by Norwegian manufacturer Prox Dynamics. They hold both a regular and thermal camera, are silent during flights and blend in well with darkness, making them the best option for aerial shots of enemy campgrounds.
The Black Hornet was specially designed for Afghanistan, according to Prox Dynamics CEO and President Arne Skjaerpe. The British Brigade Reconnaissance Force has used them successfully for the past few years.
After being launched from a holster, the drone can stay in flight for 25 minutes. It transmits information back to the box. No information is stored on the drone itself, making it untraceable if found by the enemy.
Each drone costs $40,0000.
After Fort Benning soldiers experimented with 75 prototypes and consistently held the Black Hornet in high regard, the U.S. Special Operations confirmed they considering the device but will continue researching before any final decisions are made.
-By Military 1
My issue is the price tag. Anyone see that $40,000 sticker price?
Technology
Special Forces
Drones
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 18
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for $40k, I'll sell them 400x of the $100 versions, and if you break them no big deal...
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I can just imagine, you loose it because it falls out of your pouch during a movement to contact and next, Statement of Charges. No. I wouldn't want to be involved with it. That is something for officers to keep.
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I think that the military is overcharged for much of this technology. The smartphones we hold in our hand is over a thousands times more powerful than early mainframes that coat over a million dollars. To make modification for military specification I could see would cost a bit more but not from 400 to 40,000 dollars.
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LTC (Join to see)
Most of the costs would be the initial R&D; as is the case with consumer products as well. Yes, the military specs might require more endurance and accuracy but one they are mass-produced as that many soldiers are using it, the coasts should come down significantly. but overall drones and robots have to potential to save many lives and give valuable intelligence. I fully support them but hopefully the can be made at reasonable costs.
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