Miniature drones that could be deployed on the battlefield got a thumbs-up from soldiers who were able to check out the latest technology at Fort Benning, Georgia.
The pocket-sized Black Hornet and backpack-sized InstantEye are unmanned aerial systems that can be carried onto the battlefield by soldiers and deployed to safely scout the way ahead or check on enemy positions.
“It’s an incredible piece of machinery,” Private First Class Logan Mims told Military.com on Friday.
Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith noted that the drones gave platoons greater reconnaissance capability without having to rely on larger unmanned aerial systems that often have to be shared across an entire company.
“It’s an ideal platoon UAS,” he said of the InstantEye. “Sometimes it’s really nice to know what is on the other side of that hill,” Military.com reported.
Both drones are designed to be able to fly about 20 minutes, take video and — in the case of the InstantEye — thermal imaging.
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The drones were put through their paces at the Army Expeditionary Warrior Experiment, where troops are given the chance to use some of the latest equipment in rigorous field tests, maneuvers and mock-missions.
Other pieces of equipment were less popular with soldiers, Military.com said. A device designed to help shift the weight of soldiers’ gear off of their shoulders got poor marks.
“Good concept, poor delivery,” Staff Sgt. Smith said. “It pulls my pants down, it’s hot, it’s cumbersome and it gets snagged on the Stryker [armored vehicle] seats.”
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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