Contract Secured for Autonomous CBRN Military Drone Kits & Modular Sensors

Teledyne Technologies Incorporated‘s subsidiary, Teledyne FLIR Defense, has won an $11.2 million contract from the U.S. Army’s Capability Program Executive for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense to deliver more than 45 advanced unmanned aerial system kits.

The kits were developed under the Army’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Sensor Integration on Robotic Platforms (CSIRP) program. CSIRP focuses on rapidly prototyping and fielding modular sensor solutions that enhance drones and unmanned ground vehicles through advanced sensing, artificial intelligence, machine learning, autonomy, and communications technologies.

At the heart of the award is the integration of Teledyne FLIR’s R80D SkyRaider unmanned aerial system with a suite of modular detection payloads and resilient communications technologies. For these kits, the R80D SkyRaider drone is specially configured with semi-autonomous chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear search and survey capabilities developed under the CSIRP program. Thus equipped, SkyRaider enables dismounted frontline units to rapidly assess contaminated environments while keeping soldiers out of harm’s way. Using the detection payloads mounted on the drone, operators can view real-time hazard data through mapping, targeting, and communications tools. Once deployed, the SkyRaider can autonomously locate and characterize threats.

“Safe-guarding soldiers from weapons of mass destruction is at the core of our mission,” said Dr. JihFen Lei, President of Teledyne Defense and Aerospace Group and Senior Vice Present of Teledyne Technologies. “These SkyRaider-based sensor kits dramatically improve how units can detect and map CBRN hazards without exposing warfighters to dangerous environments. This award also builds on our continued work as lead integrator for the Army’s NBCRV Sensor Suite Upgrade program, where we’re delivering next-generation sensing and autonomy solutions that give U.S. and allied forces a decisive edge.”

Each kit includes the R80D SkyRaider drone carrying a selection of chemical, biological and radiological detection payloads, including the Teledyne FLIR MUVE B330 biological sensor, and features autonomous operation. The sensor kits are being built at Teledyne FLIR Defense facilities in Elkridge, Maryland and West Lafayette, Indiana, with additional engineering performed in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Deliveries are expected to begin in the second quarter of 2026.