Press Releases

MONROVIA, Calif., Aug. 31, 2010 – AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ:AVAV) announced today that it has received a contract delivery order valued at $35,265,662 for digital Puma® All Environment (AE) unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), spares and training services.  The equipment and services were procured under the existing USSOCOM All Environment Capable Variant (AECV) indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract.  Work is scheduled to be performed within a period of several months.

MONROVIA, Calif., Aug. 23, 2010—AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ:AVAV) today announced that former Teledyne and TEAC Aerospace executive Joel Hirsch has joined AeroVironment as vice president of strategic operations. Reporting to AV chairman and chief executive officer Tim Conver, Hirsch’s primary role will be to consolidate and streamline procurement across the enterprise and identify and implement strategic opportunities to improve company-wide operating efficiency. 

Flight Test Campaign Begins for First Unmanned Aircraft System Developed to Provide Uninterrupted Coverage Over Any Spot on the Globe

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif., Aug. 16, 2010—AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ:AVAV) announced that the first aircraft developed under the Global Observer™ Joint Capability Technology Demonstration (JCTD) program successfully completed its first flight.  On August 5 Global Observer Aircraft 1001 took off from runway 04L at Edwards Air Force Base (EAFB) in California and climbed to an altitude of 4,000 feet where it performed a series of maneuvers before landing successfully one hour later. 

Key Milestone Achieved in Development and Testing of First Unmanned Aircraft System to Offer Seamless Persistence Without Latitude Restrictions

MONROVIA, Calif. – Aug. 11, 2010 – AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ:AVAV)  announced that a full size wing developed as part of the Global Observer™ Joint Capability Technology Demonstration (JCTD) program has successfully completed a series of Wing Load Tests (WLT) in support of the Global Observer flight test program.

MONROVIA, Calif., June 25, 2010 – AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ: AVAV) noted in its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on June 25, 2010 that it is currently cooperating with an investigation by the Civil Fraud Section of the United States Department of Justice with respect to certain of its billing practices.

Plug In Carolina Selects AeroVironment to Supply, Install and Support Electric Car “Re-fueling” Stations Throughout South Carolina

CHARLESTON, S.C., June 3, 2010 – Plug In Carolina today announced it has selected AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ: AVAV) in Monrovia, Calif., to supply, install and support a network of public electric vehicle (EV) “re-fueling” stations in seven South Carolina cities.  The charging network is expected to be operational by December 1, 2010 to support the variety of new EVs entering the roadways.

Customer-Funded Development Program Proceeding Toward Flight Test Phase of First Unmanned Aircraft System Offering True “Unblinking Eye”

MONROVIA, Calif., May 25, 2010—AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ:AVAV) today announced that the first aircraft developed under the Global Observer™ Joint Capability Technology Demonstration (JCTD) program has successfully completed key ground tests in preparation for flight testing.  The joint Department of Defense, NASA and AV team successfully performed ground vibration, structural and taxi tests at Edwards Air Force Base (EAFB) in California.  AV developed and fabricated Aircraft 1 in its dedicated manufacturing facility located in Southern California and shipped it to EAFB in December 2009.

AeroVironment Receives $11.2 Million Order for Raven Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Services

MONROVIA, Calif., May 12, 2010—AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ:AVAV) announced it received an order valued at $11,198,967 under an existing contract with the U.S. Army.  The order comprises 63 new digital Raven® small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), services supporting the Army’s evaluation of the small UAS Family of Systems concept and additional engineering services.

AeroVironment Hires Roy Minson as Vice President of Business Development and Deputy General Manager for Unmanned Aircraft Systems

MONROVIA, Calif., April 21, 2010—AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ:AVAV) today announced that Roy Minson, formerly an executive with SAIC and The Boeing Company, has joined AeroVironment as vice president of business development and deputy general manager of its unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) segment.

MONROVIA, Calif., March 31, 2010—AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ:AVAV) today announced the resignation of Stephen C. Wright from his position as senior vice president and chief financial officer effective March 31, 2010. Wright is leaving AV to pursue other business opportunities.

AeroVironment Names John Grabowsky Chief Technology Officer and Tom Herring Senior Vice President/General Manager, Unmanned Aircraft Systems

MONROVIA, Calif., March 5, 2010—AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ:AVAV) today appointed Tom Herring as senior vice president and general manager of AV’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) business segment and John Grabowsky as AV’s first chief technology officer, a role that will span the company’s UAS and Efficient Energy Systems (EES) business segments. Grabowsky previously served as executive vice president and general manager of UAS.

AeroVironment Receives $37.9 Million in Orders for Digital Raven Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Digital Retrofit Kits, Support Services

Orders Represent Initial Portion of Raven Funding from United States Department of Defense Fiscal 2010 Budget

MONROVIA, Calif., Feb. 23, 2010—AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ:AVAV) announced that it received firm fixed-price orders valued at $20,731,992 for digital Raven; unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and digital retrofit kits, and $17,141,648 for Raven system spare parts, repairs and training services for the U.S. Army and Marine Corps. The Raven system and retrofit order represents a portion of the $121 million appropriated for RQ-11 Raven system procurement in the 2010 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, which was signed into law in December 2009.  The balance of government fiscal 2010 procurement funding that is anticipated to be converted into orders is proceeding through the procurement process.  Typically the organizations responsible for administering this program retain a portion of approved funding to pay for program expenses and government furnished equipment.

WASHINGTON, D.C., Jan. 26, 2010 – Electric vehicle manufacturer THINK today announced that it will work with AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) (AV), a leading developer and supplier of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, to pursue demonstration and commercial projects using AV’s level III fast-charge system and the THINK City electric vehicle.  The projects will be designed to jump-start the development of fast-charge infrastructure in the United States.

Agreement part of one-stop shop experience for EV purchase process

DETROIT (Jan. 11, 2010) – Nissan North America (NNA) today announced its selection of AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV) (AV) to supply electric vehicle home-charging stations and installation services supporting the introduction of the zero-emission, all-electric Nissan LEAF later this year.

AeroVironment Receives $23.9 Million Order for Army and Marine Corps Digital Raven Systems and Digital Upgrade Kits

MONROVIA, Calif., Dec. 21, 2009 – AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ:AVAV) today announced that it received a $23,926,917 firm fixed-price order under an existing contract. This contract modification comprises digital Raven systems and kits to upgrade existing analog Raven® systems currently being used by the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps with AV’s digital data link.

MONROVIA, Calif., Nov. 30, 2009 – AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ: AVAV) today announced that automotive lithium-ion battery maker EnerDel, a subsidiary of Ener1, Inc. (NASDAQ: HEV), will be using a portion of its recent federal stimulus grant to purchase eight AV advanced electric vehicle power cycling and test systems.

AeroVironment’s Raven Small Unmanned Aircraft System Receives Military Aircraft Type-Classification Certificate from the Netherlands Military Aviation Authority Certification Permits Operation of Raven in Dutch National Airspace by the Military

MONROVIA, Calif., Nov. 3, 2009 - AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ: AVAV) today announced that the Military Aviation Authority of the Netherlands (MLA-NLD) has issued a Military Type Certificate (MTC) for the Raven® B NLD MUAS, the first such certificate issued in the Netherlands in the Micro-Unmanned Aerial Vehicle category. This certificate permits Dutch military personnel to operate Raven systems in designated Dutch airspace.

Web-based System Solution for Industrial and Passenger Electric Vehicle Battery Optimization

MONROVIA, Calif., Aug. 10, 2009—AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ: AVAV) has been granted a patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office for technology that facilitates the optimal charging, management, control and maintenance of battery packs, chargers and electric vehicles (EVs).  Patent No. 7,444,192 builds on AV’s intellectual property portfolio in its Efficient Energy Systems business segment.  This segment’s products include PosiCharge™ systems, the leading fast charge systems for electric vehicles.

Delivery of “AV-800” Marks the Introduction of 800 Kilowatt Testing Solution

MONROVIA, Calif., Aug 4, 2009 – AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ:AVAV) delivered its first AV-800 , a high-power, heavy-duty, near-megawatt scale electric vehicle (EV) test system to the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) in Warren, Michigan for advanced vehicle testing.

AV Achieves Technical Milestone: Controlled Hovering Flight of NAV UAS with Two Flapping Wings

MONROVIA, Calif., July 1, 2009 – AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ: AVAV) was awarded a Phase II contract extension in April from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to design and build a flying prototype for the Nano Air Vehicle (NAV) program.  As part of this program AV has accomplished a technical milestone never before achieved:  the controlled hovering flight of an air vehicle system with two flapping wings that carries its own energy source and uses only the flapping wings for propulsion and control.

Option Exercise for Aircraft and Additional Items Builds on Successful Program Milestones, Resulting in Total Program Funding of More Than $120 Million

New Portfolio Offers Total Infrastructure Solutions for Practical Use of On-Road Electric Vehicles

AT EVS-24, STAVANGER, NORWAY, May 13, 2009—AeroVironment, Inc. (AV), (NASDAQ: AVAV), joint-developer of the GM Impact, the world’s first modern all-electric car, and the record-setting solar-powered GM Sunraycer, today unveiled its portfolio of EV Solutions for electric vehicles that offers a total infrastructure approach to enable the practical use of on-road electric vehicles.

Washington, D.C. – Mayor Fenty along with District Department of Transportation Director Gabe Klein, other District officials, and senior representatives from leading automotive company, Nissan North America, and AeroVironment, an industry expert in battery and charging systems, announced today a partnership that could bring hundreds of Electric Vehicles (EVs) and charging stations to the District.

MONROVIA, Calif., April 1, 2009 - The U.S. Army Product Manager for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (SUAS) and AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) recently conducted a continuous 30-hour demonstration of persistent surveillance of a point target using AV’s RQ-11B Raven® small unmanned aircraft system. The demonstration at Camp Roberts, Calif. followed an inquiry from Pentagon officials regarding the potential for AV’s Raven small UAS to perform low-cost, tactically relevant persistent surveillance.

CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif., Feb. 17, 2009 - AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ: AVAV) announced that WhiteWave Foods Company today unveiled its updated, environmentally friendly distribution center that now features increased productivity and reduced energy solutions from AV’s alliance with Toyota Material Handling, U.S.A. (TMHU). AV and TMHU formed the alliance last year to offer a wide range of PosiCharge product solutions to reduce energy consumption and operating costs for their material handling customers.

MONROVIA, Calif., Feb. 9, 2009 - AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ: AVAV) has received an order from the U.S. Army valued at $16,758,776 for the production of 50 new Raven® (RQ-11B) unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) equipped with AV’s Digital Data Link (DDL). Announced by the U.S. Army on January 22, 2009, this production order was issued under an existing contract and includes initial spares packages and DDL retrofit kits for 206 existing Raven® systems. The introduction of AV’s DDL follows several years of internally funded research and development in addition to a $7.6 million contract awarded in October 2008 for the completion of R&D activities.

MONROVIA, Calif., Feb. 4, 2009 - AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ: AVAV) today announced that the U.S. Army has ordered additional RQ-11B Raven® small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and associated services for its fiscal year 2009 requirements by the exercise of an option under an existing contract. Each Raven® system typically consists of three aircraft, two ground control stations, and spares. The aggregate order value is $41.7 million and is fully funded.

CHICAGO, at ProMat, Jan. 12, 2009 - AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ: AVAV), the leading supplier of industrial fast charge systems in North America, today unveiled a series of new PosiCharge™ fast charge systems, accessories and opportunity charge systems for industrial electric vehicles, including the LP Meter, a data collection device that eases the conversion of propane trucks to electric power.

CHICAGO, At ProMat, Jan. 12, 2009 - AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ:AVAV) today announced that it has installed more than 200 of its PosiCharge fast charge systems at Nestle facilities throughout North America. These fast charge systems support electric material handling fleets in more than 14 Nestle facilities.

MONROVIA, Calif., Dec. 18, 2008 - AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ: AVAV) today announced that Balqon Corporation (OTC:BLQN), a developer of heavy duty electric trucks, tractors and electric drive systems, has purchased a new high voltage version of AV’s PosiCharge fast charge systems as part of a program to replace internal combustion yard tractors with electric propulsion vehicles at the Port of Los Angeles.

MONROVIA, Calif., Dec. 15, 2008 - AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ: AVAV) today announced that the General Directorate for Aircraft Weapon Systems (MoD - Italy) has issued a Military Aircraft Type-Classification Certificate for the Raven B unmanned aircraft system, the first such certificate issued in Italy in the Micro-Unmanned Aerial Vehicle category.  This certificate permits Italian military personnel to fly Raven in Italy’s national airspace.

IRVINE, Calif. - (September 16, 2008) - Toyota Material Handling, U.S.A., Inc. (TMHU), the number one lift truck supplier in the United States, and AeroVironment, Inc. (AV), the number one battery fast charge system manufacturer, have established an alliance to market AV’s PosiCharge fast charge systems. PosiCharge systems are now available through 68 authorized Toyota Industrial Equipment dealers with 190 locations throughout the United States.

MONROVIA, Calif., August 20, 2008 – AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ: AVAV) announces the receipt of $4.6 million in funding from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to develop a small Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) capable of performing “hover/perch and stare” missions.  The Stealthy, Persistent, Perch and Stare (SP2S) UAS is based on AV’s small Wasp UAS, a one-pound, 29-inch wingspan battery-powered air vehicle that is being procured and deployed by both the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Marine Corps.

MONROVIA, Calif., July 22, 2008 - AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ: AVAV), a leader in unmanned aircraft systems and efficient electric energy systems, has announced that its Architectural Wind system has been installed at Boston’s Logan International Airport Office Center as part of a project commissioned by the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport). The installation comprises 20 five-bladed wind turbines and ties in with a comprehensive energy management plan that Massport has established for all its facilities.

MONROVIA, Calif., July 2, 2008 - AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ; AVAV) today announced the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has selected Puma AE as its All Environment Capable Variant (AECV) solution to the Small Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) requirement. The one-year Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, with four one-year options, has a maximum value of $200,000,000, and provides for the purchase of aircraft, ground control systems, spares, repairs and training under a combination firm fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee and cost reimbursable arrangement. The initial delivery order is valued at $6 million and is fully funded.

MONROVIA, Calif., May 30, 2008 – AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ: AVAV) today announced that The Netherlands Ministry of Defence, acting through its Defense Materiel Organization (DMO), has awarded AV a contract for RQ-11B (Raven) small unmanned aircraft systems.  The order includes new aircraft systems as well as training, logistics support, and airworthiness certification.  Each Raven system typically consists of three aircraft, a ground control station, a remote video terminal, system spares, and related services.  The total award value is $7.7 million and is fully funded.

MONROVIA, Calif., May 27, 2008 – AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ: AVAV) today announced it has been awarded a Phase II contract by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to design and build a flying prototype for the Nano Air Vehicle (NAV) program.

MONROVIA, Calif., April 4, 2008 - AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ: AVAV), a leader in unmanned aircraft systems and efficient electric energy systems, has been awarded three utility patents and six design patents by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) along with 12 European design patents relating to new approaches to renewable energy generation on buildings. The USPTO awarded the patents relating to the incorporation of AV’s Architectural Wind system on rooftops.

MONROVIA, Calif.—AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ: AVAV), a leader in unmanned aircraft systems and efficient electric energy systems, today announced that Michael Bissonette, formerly assistant general manager of AV’s Energy Technology Center (ETC), has been appointed vice president and general manager of the ETC. Bissonette assumes the role previously occupied by Joseph Edwards, who has stepped down in preparation for his retirement.

MONROVIA, Calif., March 6, 2008 – AeroVironment (AV) (NASDAQ:AVAV), a leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and efficient electric energy systems, today announced that it has flown its Puma small unmanned aircraft for over nine hours, powered by an onboard fuel cell battery hybrid energy storage system. This broke the previous announced Puma flight record of over seven hours.  A two-camera payload system provided a live, streaming video feed from the Puma, the largest of AV’s portfolio of small unmanned aircraft systems that also includes Raven and Wasp. The nine-hour flight duration more than triples the duration of Puma’s standard battery-only operation.

MONROVIA, Calif., Feb. 7, 2008 – AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ: AVAV), a leader in unmanned aircraft systems and efficient electric energy systems, today announced that the U.S. Army has ordered additional RQ-11B (Raven) small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and associated services by the exercise of an option under an existing contract.  Each Raven system typically consists of three aircraft, a ground control station, system spares, and related services.  The total award value is $45.8 million and is fully funded.

MONROVIA, Calif., Jan. 3, 2008 - AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ: AVAV), a leader in unmanned aircraft systems and efficient electric energy systems, today announced that the United States Air Force BATMAV (Battlefield Air Targeting Micro Air Vehicle) program has received Milestone C approval and authorization for Full Rate Production. The BATMAV program achieved these two significant milestones under the rigors of the United States Department of Defense 5000 Acquisition process in just over 11 months from contract award. The Air Force selected AV’s Wasp III as the micro air vehicle (MAV) for its BATMAV Program in December 2006.

MONROVIA, Calif., Nov. 20, 2007 – AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ: AVAV), a leader in unmanned aircraft systems and efficient electric energy systems, today announced that the U.S. Marine Corps has ordered $19.3 million in BATMAV (Battlefield Air Targeting Micro Air Vehicle) systems, each consisting of two Wasp III micro air vehicles, AV’s Advanced Battery Charger, spares and support services.  The order followed a successful Marine Corps evaluation of Wasp systems provided by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA.

AFRL engineers, in conjunction with Small Business Innovation Research partners AeroVironment (AV), Protonex Technology (PTX) Corporation, and Millennium Cell (MCEL), successfully flight-demonstrated Puma, AV’s hand-launched small unmanned air vehicle (SUAV) that gets its power from a hybrid fuel cell/battery energy storage system. Puma flew for 7+ continuous hours on power supplied by PTX Corporation’s PTX.L fuel cell system. The hybridized proton exchange membrane fuel cell employs a lithium ion battery to provide peak power during takeoff and dash maneuvers; the fuel cell recharges the battery and provides continuous steady-state power for the plane and payload during cruise flight. MCEL provided a fuel cartridge of sodium borohydride (chemical hydride), which provided the fuel necessary for the fuel cell system’s 7-hour, 3-minute flight.

MONROVIA, Calif., Oct. 25, 2007 - AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ: AVAV), a leader in unmanned aircraft systems and efficient electric energy systems, has installed its Architectural Wind system on the roof of the new Beloit, Wis., manufacturing facility of Kettle Foods, a Salem, Ore.-based producer of all-natural potato chips and other snack foods. The Beloit installation includes 18 wind turbines.

RENO, Nev.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—October 09, 2007—AeroVironment, Inc. (Nasdaq: AVAV), Altair Nanotechnologies Inc. ‘Altairnano’ (Nasdaq: ALTI), Micro-Vett, SPA and Go Green Holding AS, today jointly announced the successful public demonstrations of the All-Electric Fiat Doblo to government officials and potential commercial customers in Oslo, Norway. On October 2nd, half-way through an ongoing 60-day demonstration, the Micro-Vett Fiat Doblo, a regular size 5-seat station wagon vehicle, powered by a custom 18 kWh Altairnano high performance NanoSafe battery pack, traveled 300 kilometers (186 miles) in an urban delivery circuit. The custom battery pack was fully recharged in less than ten minutes a total of three times using AeroViroments’ high voltage, 125kW rated, rapid charging system. The vehicle will be driven an estimated total of 7,500 kilometers during the 60-day demonstration period, which translates to an annual equivalent use of 45,000 kilometers.

MONROVIA, Calif., Sept. 26, 2007 – AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ:AVAV), a leader in unmanned aircraft systems and efficient electric energy systems, today announced that it has received a contract from the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) for the development and military utility assessment of its Global Observer unmanned aircraft system (UAS).  This contract initiates a Joint Capabilities Technology Demonstration, or JCTD.  The JCTD is sponsored by multiple U.S. government organizations.  The contract calls for the development of up to three Global Observer aircraft over the next three years to demonstrate the ability to operate in the stratosphere for up to 7 days without landing.  The basic contract, which will be funded under a cost-plus fixed-fee arrangement, provides for the development and delivery of the initial Global Observer aircraft, and is valued at approximately $57 million.  The contract also includes options for the development and delivery of up to two additional Global Observer aircraft, resulting in a potential contract value of $108 million.

MONROVIA, Calif., Sept. 18, 2007—AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ: AVAV), a leader in unmanned aircraft systems and efficient electric energy systems, has been granted a patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for a battery charging innovation that enables simultaneous or parallel charging of multiple batteries. The USPTO awarded AV patent No. 7,256,516 titled, “Battery charging system and method,” on August 14.

MONROVIA, Calif., September 13, 2007 - AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ: AVAV), a leader in unmanned aircraft systems and efficient electric energy systems, announces the first technology demonstration of its building-integrated Architectural Wind system and new AVX400 wind turbine. The wind-turbine system is installed on the Adventure Aquarium in Camden, New Jersey. The project’s stakeholders are the Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA), a bi-state agency of Pennsylvania and New Jersey; the Camden County Board of Freeholders; the State of New Jersey, which owns the building, and Steiner & Associates, the aquarium’s operators.

MONROVIA, Calif., Sept. 11, 2007 – AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ: AVAV), a leader in unmanned aircraft systems and efficient electric energy systems, today announced that it has received an order to supply the Danish Army Operational Command with RQ 11 B, Raven B small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS).  The order includes 12 systems, logistics support and training services, for a total value of $2.4 million.  Each Raven B system typically consists of three aircraft, a hand-held ground control station, a remote viewing terminal, systems spares, and related services.

MONROVIA, Calif., August 29, 2007 - Dr. Paul MacCready, internationally renowned innovator and entrepreneur, founder and former chairman of the board of directors of AeroVironment, Inc., passed away in his sleep on Tuesday, August 28. Dr. MacCready had recently been diagnosed with a serious ailment. His passing occurred less than one week after the 30th anniversary of one of his most notable accomplishments, the record-setting flight of his human powered airplane, the Gossamer Condor.

MONROVIA, Calif., Aug. 20, 2007—The Board of Directors of AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ: AVAV), a leader in unmanned aircraft systems and efficient electric energy systems, today announced that it has unanimously elected Tim Conver as its new chairman of the board. After joining AV’s Board of Directors in the late 1980’s Conver became its president in 1991 and assumed the additional role of chief executive officer shortly thereafter. Conver now assumes the role previously held by Dr. Paul MacCready, who has retired as chairman and director as a result of a recently diagnosed, serious health issue. Mr. Conver’s appointment is effective immediately.

MONROVIA, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Aug. 17, 2007—AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ: AVAV), a leader in unmanned aircraft systems and efficient electric energy systems, today announced that John Kim, former Ryder Transportation and Logistics Director of National Sales, has joined its PosiCharge Systems management team as Director of Sales.

MONROVIA, Calif., August 15, 2007 - AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ:AVAV), a leader in unmanned aircraft systems and efficient electric energy systems, announced that its new AVX wind turbine - the heart of the company’s Architectural Wind system for generating clean energy - has won two prestigious honors: the Red Dot International Design award and the 2007 Annual Design Review award from I.D., The International Design Magazine.

WASHINGTON, At AUVSI North America, Aug. 6, 2007 - AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ: AVAV), a leader in unmanned aircraft systems and efficient electric energy systems, today announced that the U.S. Air Force has recently taken delivery of its initial BATMAV micro unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), which include the Wasp III air vehicle, as planned under the Air Force Beyond Line of Site (BLOS) program. AV received the BATMAV, or Battlefield Air Tactical Micro Air Vehicle, award in December 2006 after competing against a number of candidate systems. AV recently received orders for 30 systems through the program’s indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract which provides for purchases of up to $45 million over a period of five years.

MONROVIA, CA., July 25, 2007—AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ: AVAV), a leader in unmanned aircraft systems and efficient energy systems, today announced that U.S. Navy Rear Admiral, Daniel H. Stone, has joined the company as vice president of its Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) logisitics operation.  AV’s logistics operation supports all of the company’s globally deployed small UAS, including Raven, Dragon Eye, Wasp and Puma.

MONROVIA, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—May 30, 2007—AeroVironment (AV) (NASDAQ:AVAV), a leader in unmanned aircraft systems and efficient electric energy systems, today announced that it performed a fast charge demonstration of a lithium chemistry electric vehicle battery pack for representatives of the California Air Resources Board (CARB). The 35kWh (kilowatt-hour) battery pack, developed by Altair Nanotechnologies (NASDAQ:ALTI), is designed for use in the Phoenix Motorcar Sport Utility Truck. This battery pack is designed to allow the truck to travel more than 100 miles on a single charge. The test, conducted by engineers at AV’s Monrovia, California Energy Technology Center, was a milestone in battery fast charging, demonstrating the capability of fully charging the pack in less than ten minutes.

DETROIT & MONROVIA, Calif.—April 5, 2006—PosiCharge™, an AeroVironment, Inc. business (www.avinc.com), has won two awards at the 2006 Automotive News PACE Awards. The 12th Annual PACE (Premier Automotive Suppliers’ Contribution to Excellence) Awards held in Detroit, Mich. April 3 honored innovators in the automotive supply chain.

MONROVIA, Calif., March 31 2005: PosiCharge™, the industrial fast charger division of AeroVironment, today announced that Del Monte Foods has chosen the company as the sole supplier for its multi-facility fast charge deployment to convert internal combustion forklifts to electric at selected facilities. The multi-year conversion program will eliminate battery changing rooms at applicable facilities as well as improve productivity and reduce operating costs.

DEARBORN, March 29, 2005 (FCN)—Better air quality in the plants and less noise are just two of the benefits employees will realize as North American plants switch from combustion engine forklifts and tow motors to all electrically powered vehicles. Other advantages of the change include space savings in the plants and an estimated $5 million savings to the company’s bottom line each year said Roger Tenney, manager, Industrial Vehicle Strategy and Engineering.

CHICAGO , At ProMat 2005, Jan. 10, 2005 - PosiCharge, the industrial fast charger division of AeroVironment, today announced that Ford Motor Company has selected the company for its system-wide deployment of fast charge technology throughout its manufacturing operations. In the first phase, PosiCharge will facilitate the seamless replacement of all of Ford’s internal combustion material handling vehicles with electric vehicles. As the rollout continues, PosiCharge will help Ford Motor Company to discontinue reliance on battery rooms.

LAS VEGAS and MONROVIA, Calif., Oct. 20, 2004 - SYSCO Food Services, longtime users of PosiCharge® fast charge systems for electric forklifts, today announced the results of its second independent fast-charge battery audit in 22 months. Both tests indicate that the batteries retained capacity well beyond standard fast-charge battery warranty expectations.

MONROVIA, Calif., June 2, 2004- CitiCapital, one of the top commercial finance companies in the United States, and PosiCharge have entered into a multi-year program agreement to provide material handling finance solutions for new and existing PosiCharge customers.

Las Vegas, NV (March 4, 2004) - Aviation Industry Week, the premier event for the business of aviation, announced today that Dr. Paul B. MacCready will speak at the upcoming show, to be held May 18-20, 2004, in Las Vegas, NV. Dr. MacCready is the founder and chairman of AeroVironment, Inc. He has been pioneering the use of alternate energy sources in aviation for over 50 years, developing vehicles and devices for both military and commercial use that strike a balance between nature and technology.

TORONTO, Ontario and MONROVIA, Calif. Tibbett & Britten Group, one of the world’s leading third-party logistics companies, today announced that its member company, Evergreen Logistics, has implemented a 15-port PosiCharge system for its facility in Conway, Ark. The PosiCharge productivity-enhancing system eliminates the need for a battery changing room at the distribution center.

Small man-portable reconnaissance drones are finally seeing action as the war on terrorism brings home ground troops’ need to see over the next hill.

CHICAGO (February 13, 2001) American Airlines has advanced its commitment to electrifying its ground support equipment (GSE) fleet with the recent installation of the first four of 10 AeroVironment PosiCharge MVS multi-vehicle fast charging systems at Dallas-Ft. Worth International Airport. When all 10 MVS chargers are in place, American will be able to fast charge more than 100 GSE vehicles, making this the largest fast charging installation in the world.

Monrovia, California, September 18, 2000 - AeroVironment’s 60 kW PosiCharge® fast charger was used extensively to keep eight electric shuttle buses with operating 20-hours a day in and around the Staples Center during last month’s Democratic National Convention. The fast charger is compatible with the City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s (DWP) entire 21 electric shuttle bus fleet.

AeroVironment (AV) generates creative engineering solutions that emphasize efficiency, performance, and alternative energy. In our history, AV has developed a number of remarkable vehicles for land, sea and air - five of which have been acquired by the Smithsonian Museum, a distinction unmatched by any other firm AV’s size.