FLIR Systems [FLIR] on Wednesday said it has acquired Norway’s Prox Dynamics in a $134 million cash deal that gives it a position as a developer and producer of micro-unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) used in military and intelligence roles.
FLIR expects the acquisition to chip a penny from its 2016 earnings per share.
Prox Dynamics makes the Black Hornet aerial sensor and hand controller, a pocket-sized system that is hand-launched by a soldier in the field, providing situational awareness and help with mission planning. The Black Hornet, which is a nano-helicopter, weighs less than an ounce and can fly for up to 25 minutes at line-of-sight distances up to one mile.
The Black Hornet nano-UAS incorporates FLIR’s Lepton micro thermal camera, visible spectrum cameras, low-power rotor technology, and proprietary software for flight control, stabilization, and communications.
“This acquisition adds a unique unmanned aerial system capability to our portfolio,” Andy Teich, president and CEO of FLIR, said in a statement. “The Prox Dynamics team has created a highly-differentiated solution, incorporating our Lepton sensor, for advanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance that fits well with our vision for growth for our Surveillance segment. The team at Prox Dynamics operates with a commercial mindset, which is a great fit for FLIR’s ‘commercially developed, military qualified,’ or ‘CMDQ,’ operating philosophy.”
FLIR said it plans to invest in Prox Dynamics’ personal reconnaissance system platform to enhance the range, cost, flexibility and performance of the system. It said that Prox Dynamics will benefit from working with FLIR’s thermal sensor development group and by leveraging FLIR’s brand, distribution and customer support infrastructure to better serve a global base of users.
The Black Hornet has been used by the U.S. Army and Marine Corps in exercises and has been acquired by Australian Special Forces.
FLIR said that Prox Dynamics will become its Unmanned Aerial Systems line of business within the Surveillance segment.