Army leaders want to build a nano drone that weighs less than a pound with the entire unmanned system not weighing more than three pounds, according to a Request for Information released on FBO.gov on March 1.
The Army is calling its nano drone efforts, the Soldier Borne Sensors (SBS) program with Product Manager Soldier Maneuver Sensors (PM SMS) leading the work to outfit soldiers with these high tech unmanned systems. Army officials released the RFI ahead of a virtual Industry Day on April 12, 2016 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. EST.
Developing nano drones to fly through buildings to protect soldiers before having to clear rooms is a high priority for Army leaders. The technology is catching up to Army expectations.
The British Army deploy the Black Hornet nano drone to Afghanistan in 2013. Built by Prox Dynamics, the nano drone measures 4 inches long and weighs only 16 grams to include batteries. It carries three cameras and can fly up to 11 mph.
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