The U.S. Army has officially received the latest version of the pocket-sized reconnaissance drone Soldier Borne Sensor, developed under the Program Executive Office Soldier. Based on the proven Teledyne FLIR Black Hornet platform, the new model features an extended battery life, reinforced body, and expanded operational range. For the first time, the system integrates both day and night reconnaissance in a single device, eliminating the need for two separate units. The package includes a high-resolution camera, low-light imaging capabilities, and three thermal imaging modes: “black hot,” “white hot,” and standard. This was reported by The WP Times with reference to defence-blog.
Initial field trials were conducted at a training ground near the Mexican border with soldiers from the 90th Sustainment Brigade, the 2nd Stryker Brigade of the 4th Infantry Division, and the 89th Military Police Brigade. Over three days, participants completed training consisting of two days of theory and one day of practice. Sergeant Quinton Layton highlighted the system’s simplicity: “It’s super easy. You can learn in 15–20 minutes.”
The drone’s autonomous flight modes drew particular attention. The “zipline” function allows the operator to set a start and end point, after which the drone flies the route automatically, regardless of the camera position. Another option, “fly-to-home,” enables the aircraft to lock onto the operator as a beacon and return or follow without manual input.
Soldier Borne Sensor also distinguishes itself with near-silent performance: at 10 meters it is almost inaudible, while at 50 meters it becomes invisible to the naked eye. Enhanced protection against jamming and interception is provided through encrypted communication channels and frequency hopping. U.S. soldiers have described the system as a “game-changer,” noting that it enables safe reconnaissance and increased unit protection without exposing troops to unnecessary risks.
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