The US Army has selected Teledyne FLIR Defence to provide more than 45 uncrewed aerial system (UAS) kits designed for chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threat detection under a contract worth $11.2m.
The kits, scheduled for delivery starting in the second quarter of 2026, are part of the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Sensor Integration on Robotic Platforms (CSIRP) programme.
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Developed to improve frontline hazard assessment, each kit will include Teledyne FLIR’s R80D SkyRaider drone equipped with modular sensor payloads.
These payloads feature CBRN detection functions and capabilities for semi-autonomous search and survey.
The suite also includes the MUVE B330 biological sensor and incorporates communications and mapping tools, allowing operators to gather real-time hazard information and conduct threat characterisation while minimising direct human exposure.
Work on the sensor kits is currently underway at facilities in Elkridge, Maryland and West Lafayette, Indiana, with engineering support from Stillwater, Oklahoma, according to Teledyne FLIR Defence.
The CSIRP programme, under which the kits were developed, aims to rapidly prototype and deploy advanced sensor solutions for both aerial and ground-based robotic platforms, using technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and autonomous operation to address CBRN hazards.
By integrating these technologies, the Army seeks to improve response and surveillance capabilities in environments that present chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear risks.
Teledyne Technologies senior vice president and Teledyne Defense and Aerospace Group president JihFen Lei said the SkyRaider-based sensor kits “dramatically improve” how units can detect and map CBRN hazards.
“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 US and allied forces a decisive edge,” JihFen said.
The R80D SkyRaider, configured for the US Army’s requirements, is intended to enable rapid monitoring of potentially contaminated environments by dismounted soldiers.
The drone’s autonomous features are designed to locate and characterise CBRN threats with minimal operator intervention.
