Teledyne FLIR Defense Media Statement on Secretary Hegseth’s Drone Dominance Directive

Teledyne FLIR Defense, part of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE:TDY), has made the following statement in regard to U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s ‘Unleashing U.S. Military Drone Dominance’ memo of July 10.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250711679197/en/

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced his ‘Unleashing U.S. Military Drone Dominance’ memo on July 10 in front of the Pentagon as drones flew around him. Teledyne FLIR Defense produces the Black Hornet 4 nano-drone (shown top right) (Screen grab via @SecDef/X account)

“Teledyne FLIR Defense readily supports U.S. Department of Defense efforts to bolster our drone readiness and ensure all our warfighters are equipped with the right drone systems, technology, and training to achieve success on the battlefield,” said Dr. JihFen Lei, president of Teledyne FLIR Defense. “The Black Hornet nano-drone, shown flying in Secretary Hegseth’s video, has been supporting America’s military for more than six years.

“Along with our SkyRaider, Rogue 1, and other UAS platforms, we stand committed to keep providing the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities – and more – that give our armed forces a clear tactical edge.”

The U.S. Army began acquiring Black Hornet drones in 2018 for its Soldier Borne Sensor (SBS) program. Since then, it has placed orders under SBS and other contract vehicles totaling more than $300 million.

Last month, the company announced that its Black Hornet 4 was approved for the ‘Blue UAS List,’ enabling DoD and other government users to acquire the system as a vetted, secure drone solution for multiple needs.

In May, FLIR Defense opened a new 13,000 sq ft facility in Somerset, Kentucky that will function as a major support hub for servicing, testing, and training on Black Hornet systems used by U.S. forces.

Black Hornet 4 represents the next generation of lightweight nano-drones, able to provide enhanced covert situational awareness to small fighting units. Its 12-megapixel daytime camera and high-resolution thermal imager deliver crisp video and still images to the operator. At just 70 grams Black Hornet 4 can fly for more than 30 minutes, over three kilometers, and function in 25-knot winds and rain. Flight performance is augmented by advanced obstacle avoidance capabilities and other features.

FLIR Defense has delivered more than 33,000 Black Hornet drones to military and security forces in over 45 countries.

About Teledyne FLIR Defense

Teledyne FLIR Defense has been providing advanced, mission-critical technology and systems for more than 45 years. Our products are on the frontlines of the world’s most pressing military, security and public safety challenges. As a global leader in thermal imaging, we design and build sophisticated surveillance sensors for air, land and maritime use. We develop the most rugged, trusted unmanned air and ground platforms, as well as intelligent sensing devices used to detect chemicals, biological agents, radiation and explosives. At Teledyne FLIR Defense we bring together this expertise to deliver solutions that enable critical decisions and keep our world safe – from any threat, anywhere. To learn more, visit us online or follow @flir and @flir_defense.

About Teledyne Technologies

Teledyne Technologies is a leading provider of sophisticated digital imaging products and software, instrumentation, aerospace and defense electronics, and engineered systems. Teledyne's operations are primarily located in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Western and Northern Europe. For more information, visit Teledyne's website at www.teledyne.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250711679197/en/

“Teledyne FLIR Defense readily supports U.S. Department of Defense efforts to bolster our drone readiness and ensure all our warfighters are equipped with the right drone systems, technology, and training to achieve success on the battlefield.”