It looks a bit like a drone you'd find on the bottom shelf of an electronics store, but the US Special Forces' tiny PD-100 Black Hornet PRS is mechanical marvel and it should chills down the spines of anyone who chances upon one, or a swarm of them, in the wild. With a datalink range of about a miles, its presence means a squad of elite soldiers isn't too far away.
The pocket-sized drone, about four inches long, has been in use by the British military since 2013. And due to its apparent effectiveness in the service of the blokes across the pond, the US Special Operations Command has decided to try out the Black Hornet and continue to give it a hard look.
"These informal evaluations have since completed and the systems were returned to the vendor," stated an official from the US Special Operations Command. "Various SOF Combat Development Directorates continue to conduct market research into this class of devices."
Manufacturer Prox Dynamics says the Black Hornet is inaudible, poses no risk to other aircraft and is simple enough that initiates can operate it well. And thank's to its small size, it's essentially invisible outside of short range.
The Black Hornet can stay aloft for up to 25 minutes and is capable of being autopiloted via GPS -- it can also be actively guided by a pilot via video.
It can capture live video or snap picture with it three surveillance cameras, all of which are built into the Black Hornet's nose. Including the cameras, the drone weighs just 18 grams.
Back in March, soldiers at Fort Benning, Ga. tested the Black Hornet and many of them took a liking to it.
"I've never even thought of having a UAS as small as the Black Hornet," said Specialist Erin Broihier, radio operator for A company, 1st Battalion, 29th Infantry Regiment said. "That thing is sick; I love it."
