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BAE Considers Black Hornet – CV90 Teaming

BAE Systems Hägglunds is looking into the potential for integrating Black Hornet UAS into CV90 armoured vehicles, as it continues to refine the BattleView 360 concept and augmented reality programme.

The company envisages an embarked capability with the Black Hornet, currently the smallest military grade UAS in the world, with crew and local dismounts able to transfer data from the airborne platform into the armoured vehicle.

Existing vehicle-mounted antennas would likely be used to form a link between the two systems.

‘The birds-eye perspective has been important for missions. Teaming UAVs with the CV90 would enable it to approach [a site] faster because you already know what is in the area,’ said Peder Sjölund, technology manager at BAE Systems Hägglunds.

‘We are still thinking about who would operate the UAV from within the vehicle [and] a large part of Battleview 360 is how we bring all the information to the crew.’

Although small the Black Hornet, developed by Prox Dynamics, can operate in a 30kt sidewind and transit real-time data. A full system of two UAS and the control capability is thought to cost around $50,000.

The embarked UAS capability could become another source of information provided to BAE Systems’ BattleView 360 digital mapping system. The system collates and displays points of interest to a vehicle commander to provide enhanced situational awareness and reducing risk in a combat environment.

Additional areas of interest include bringing augmented reality into the CV90 gunner view site which would harmonise what the commander and crew member are looking at, reducing the risk for error.

Meanwhile VRICON satellite data could provide a new level of 3D mapping capability, which could be integrated with the CV90. .

Earlier this year Prox Dynamics showcased an improved version of its drone, called the Black Hornet 2. Weighing 18g, it can relay video and still images with a datalink capability of 1.6km, and an endurance of 25 minutes.

Sjölund said that with a complete system providing two Black Hornet UAS, the 30 minute recharge time would allow for near persistent surveillance as one platform charges while the other is airborne.

It also emerged that the Norwegian Army will look to replace the Raven UAS currently in its inventory with a different system in the near future, although it is not known the alternative platform has been chosen.