Surveillance flights have been around since before World War I. The earliest recorded use of aerial reconnaissance was in 1794, when the French employed an Aerostatic Balloon to monitor Austrian troop movements during the Battle of Fleurus, part of the War of the First Coalition.
During the Cold War, the use of spy aircraft intensified as the United States and the Soviet Union competed to develop increasingly advanced technology. Due to the era’s limitations, these aircraft were extremely costly and posed major risks to pilots if found.
In contrast, modern surveillance tools are neither extremely expensive nor hazardous. Today, some are small and unmanned, such as the Black Hornet Nano, one of the leading drones in this field.
Development of the Black Hornet Nano
The Black Hornet Nano was designed and built in Norway by Prox Dynamics AS. Released in the 2010s, the drone weighs between 18 and 32 grams, with batteries. These surveillance devices can’t fly the same distance as reconnaissance aircraft, but have the advantage of being able to operate in any environment. They also don’t include any armaments, as they’re used solely for surveillance.
There’s a major price advantage to the drone. A two-pack, including a charging system, initially came in at around $40,000-60,000 USD, with certain models running close to $200,000. Compare this to the US Air Force’s SR-71 Blackbird, which costs around $34,000,000. Unlike the SR-71, which requires a pilot and reconnaissance systems officer (RSO), the drone only needs one soldier to operate it – from the ground.
Use of the Black Hornet Nano
Soldiers can be swiftly trained on the Black Hornet Nano, with instruction taking as little as 20 minutes. The device is exceptionally portable, allowing troops to carry it in their pockets.
The drone can be deployed right away and can reach speeds of up to 13 MPH. It is equipped with three cameras: one facing downward, one forward, and one angled at 45 degrees. The images captured are sent to a central terminal, as the drone lacks the capability to store photos. This is advantageous because it prevents any data from being accessed if captured.
First used in the field by British soldiers
The first time the Black Hornet Nano was used in the field was by members of the United Kingdom’s Brigade Reconnaissance Force, stationed in Afghanistan. The environment was the perfect location for such a device, and the units were painted tan to blend in with the terrain.
Soldiers utilized the the drone to check around corners and over walls. In 2013, the British Army had a total of 324 in service. While it was retired in 2016, the device was brought back three years later as part of the Defence Equipment and Support program by British Army HQ.
Many other countries have adopted the drone
A number of other countries utilize the Black Hornet Nano, and they’re all NATO-aligned. The list includes India, Australia, Germany, Greece, Netherlands, New Zealand, Algeria, Norway, the UK, the US, France, Spain, South Africa and Turkey.
In the US, the drones are used by the Lee Country Sheriff’s Office in Florida and by the US Army Calvary Scouts. In 2015, Special Operators from the US Marine Corps tested out a specially-constructed Black Hornet Nano, but decided the cost for this specific device was cost prohibitive.
Current use of the Black Hornet Nano
In February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine. Unlike those listed above, Ukraine is not a NATO member nation, but has attempted to join the organization for several years. As a result, many member countries have made concerted efforts to help the Ukrainian military fight back against the ongoing invasion.
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Norway and Great Britain announced in August 2022 that they’ll partner to send Black Hornet Nano units to Ukraine. The aid package contained between 150-240 sets, and included training and accessories.
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