Teledyne FLIR Defense Secures U.S. Army Contract for Advanced CBRN Sensor Drone Kits

Teledyne FLIR Defense has been awarded an 11.2 million dollar contract from the U.S. Army to deliver more than 45 advanced unmanned aerial system kits designed for chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threat detection. The award reinforces the company’s growing role in autonomous sensing technologies that support modern battlefield protection and aligns closely with evolving aerospace and defense priorities around unmanned platforms, integrated sensors, and rapid threat assessment.

Autonomous SkyRaider Systems Enhance Hazard Mapping

The contract centers on Teledyne FLIR’s R80D SkyRaider aircraft, configured with modular CBRN detection payloads and semi autonomous survey capabilities. These systems allow frontline units to map hazardous environments while maintaining distance from contaminated areas, a capability that continues to gain importance across defense aviation and unmanned operations. The kits incorporate real time data visualization tools that support rapid decision making in contested or degraded environments.

Built on the Army’s CSIRP Technology Development Effort

The systems were developed under the Army’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Sensor Integration on Robotic Platforms program, which focuses on rapidly prototyping modular sensor solutions for unmanned air and ground platforms. The program emphasizes advanced sensing, autonomy, AI enabled processing, and resilient communications, all of which are increasingly central to aerospace sector innovation. For industry readers, the award highlights continued investment in unmanned platforms that integrate high reliability sensors with autonomous mission execution.

Expanding Production Across Multiple U.S. Facilities

The CBRN sensor kits will be produced at Teledyne FLIR Defense facilities in Maryland and Indiana, with additional engineering support in Oklahoma. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2026. The distributed production approach reflects broader aerospace manufacturing trends that prioritize supply chain resilience and multi site engineering collaboration.

Reinforcing Teledyne FLIR’s Position in Defense Sensing and Autonomy

Teledyne FLIR Defense continues to expand its portfolio of intelligent sensing systems and unmanned platforms used across air, land, and maritime missions. The company’s work as lead integrator for the Army’s NBCRV Sensor Suite Upgrade program further underscores its role in delivering next generation detection and autonomy solutions for U.S. and allied forces. For aerospace stakeholders, the award signals sustained momentum in the integration of advanced sensors with unmanned aircraft to support mission critical operations.