Autonomous micro air vehicle designed for indoor and GPS-denied swarm operations. AI-enabled cooperative behavior for reconnaissance and sensor distribution.
Black Widow measures approximately 15 centimeters in wingspan and weighs under 10 grams, enabling it to be carried in large quantities by a single operator and released in swarms for distributed indoor reconnaissance. The drone's AI navigation uses optical flow and range sensing to autonomously avoid obstacles in complex indoor environments where GPS is unavailable. DARPA's FAST program that funded Black Widow was specifically focused on miniaturized autonomous systems capable of clearing buildings and tunnels without risking soldiers, reflecting operational lessons from urban warfare in Afghanistan and Iraq.
DARPA FAST program demonstrator; swarm coordination tests in urban environments
Northrop Grumman (NOC) is the primary publicly traded beneficiary of Black Widow development. AeroVironment (AVAV) also develops micro-UAV swarm concepts that compete in similar programs.