720163Nano-Owl: Flying BinocularsClosedGRD Development of PrototypeInnovate UKSwarm Systems is developing 'Nano-Owl': flying binoculars that weigh just 60g and take up just one quarter of a litre when carried. Nano-Owl is a Nano-scale Unmanned Aerial System (NUAS); it will establish a new 'pocketable' category of system. Targeted at a user community that includes soldiers on patrol, first responders and the emergency services, Nano-Owl is a tiny hovering airborne reconnaissance tool. The user launches Nano-Owl from the palm of his hand and sees real-time video from the on-board camera displayed on a smart phone. Nano-Owl is autonomous so there are no piloting skills required. It can fly for 20 minutes and can rapidly acquire tactical situational awareness from half a kilometre away. A user can remotely monitor an area of interest from the air, out of sight and out of danger. He can make better decisions, take fewer risks and ultimately save lives. The objective is to develop a pre-production prototype. This system will be used to validate core technology and build on know-how Swarm Systems has acquired over four years developing nano and micro UAS. It will inform the final production design phase. The preproduction prototype will also be used as a marketing tool to trial the product with potential customers. Swarm Systems believes that in the future, nano air vehicles will carry out tasks in swarms and work collaboratively to solve real world problems. Through the choice of its Company name and its strategy, it is positioning itself to be a major player in that future.