Press Releases : UAS

• First solution tailored to law enforcement, first response and other public safety missions from the leading supplier of small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS)

• Based on proven small UAS experience with hundreds of thousands of operating hours supporting U.S. and allied armed forces

• Will be made available to select public safety agencies for testing and evaluation

MONROVIA, Calif., Oct. 27, 2011 – AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) today introduced the QubeTM portable UAS for use in public safety applications such as law enforcement and first response.  Small enough to fit easily in the trunk of a car, the Qube system can be unpacked, assembled and ready for flight in less than five minutes, giving the operator a rapidly deployable eye in the sky at a fraction of the cost of manned aircraft.

MONROVIA, Calif., Oct. 20, 2011—AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV) today announced that it has received a $7,298,530 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract from the United States Army. This contract establishes a not-to-exceed amount for digital Puma® All Environment (AE) unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) contractor logistics support services in support of a Joint Urgent Operational Need Statement.  The services are scheduled to be provided within the next 12 months.

• Air Force to equip Security Forces with Raven systems
• Initial order supports training in preparation for broader deployment

MONROVIA, Calif., Sept 27, 2011—AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV) today announced that it received a $6,874,175 firm-fixed-price order from the U.S. Air Force under an existing contract with the U.S. Army. The order comprises new digital Raven® small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and initial spares packages. The systems and spares packages are scheduled for delivery within the next several months.

MONROVIA, Calif., Sept. 8, 2011—AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV) today announced that it received a $15,909,962 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract order on September 1, 2011, under an existing contract with the U.S. Army. The order comprises Army contractor logistics support for Raven systems. The logistics support services are scheduled to be delivered within the next several months.

• New, flexible capability for rapid response, high-precision low collateral damage strike is the result of years of development and testing

MONROVIA, Calif., Sept. 1, 2011—AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) announced that it received a contract on June 29 from the U.S. Army Close Combat Weapons Systems (CCWS), Program Executive Office Missiles and Space (PEO MS).  The $4,907,840 contract for the Switchblade agile munition includes engineering services and operational systems for deployment with the U.S. Army.

· Adds VTOL, hover, perch and stare capability to battle-proven family of small unmanned aircraft systems (Raven, Wasp, Puma AE)
· Enables frontline military and non-military missions requiring vertical launches and landings without additional infrastructure
· Operated by AeroVironment’s common Ground Control System to ensure ease of use and acceptance
· Result of more than four years of DARPA-funded research and development to create a portable, stealthy, persistent perch and stare capability

MONROVIA, Calif., Aug. 30, 2011 – AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV) today introduced its lightweight and man-portable Shrike VTOL™ unmanned aircraft system.

In August 2008 AeroVironment announced the receipt of a contract from DARPA (the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) to develop a portable, stealthy, persistent perch and stare (SP2S) unmanned aircraft system.  Shrike VTOL represents the conclusion of this development effort.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16, 2011, at the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) North America Conference - AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV) today announced that it received a firm-fixed-price contract delivery order valued at $65,532,394 for new digital Puma™ All Environment (AE) unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and initial spares packages. The items were procured through the existing United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) All Environment Capable Variant (AECV) indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract. Deliveries are scheduled to be completed over the next several months.

• Puma demonstrating effectiveness in theater
• Order includes systems, initial spares and training services

MONROVIA, Calif., April 21, 2011—AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV) today announced that it received a firm-fixed-price contract delivery order valued at $11,500,000 for new digital Puma‚ All Environment (AE) unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), initial spares packages and training services on April 11, 2011. The items were procured under the existing United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) All Environment Capable Variant (AECV) indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract. Deliveries are scheduled to be completed over the next several months.

MONROVIA, Calif., April 12, 2011—AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV) announced that it received a firm-fixed-price contract order valued at $14,773,816 under an existing contract with the U.S. Army. The order comprises digital Raven® small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) retrofit kits. Work is scheduled to be completed by December 2011.

• No injuries or damage to other property reported during envelope expansion flight testing
• Investigation Board will be convened to probe cause and provide details of mishap

MONROVIA, Calif., April 1, 2011—AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ:AVAV) today announced that the Global Observer unmanned air vehicle undergoing flight test envelope expansion at Edwards Air Force Base (EAFB) in California experienced a mishap at 2:30 am Pacific Daylight Time today, approximately 18 hours into its ninth test flight.  There are no reports of injury or damage to other property. 

• Two-wing, Flapping Aircraft Hovers and Flies in Any Direction
• Total Weight of Two-thirds of an Ounce Includes Batteries and Video Camera

WASHINGTON, at AAAS Conference, Feb. 17, 2011 – AeroVironment, Inc. (AV)(NASDAQ: AVAV) today announced it has accomplished a technical milestone never before achieved—controlled precision hovering and fast-forward flight of a two-wing, flapping wing aircraft that carries its own energy source, and uses only the flapping wings for propulsion and control.

MONROVIA, Calif., Jan. 31, 2011—AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ:AVAV) announced that it received a firm fixed-price order valued at $7,800,003 under an existing contract with the U.S. Army on January 25, 2011. The order comprises 919 digital module upgrade kits for the U.S. Marine Corps. The upgrade kits allow digital Raven unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to operate using a different frequency band than provided by the stock configuration. Funding for this order was appropriated for RQ-11B Raven system procurement in the 2010 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, which was signed into law in December 2009. Work is scheduled to be completed by April 30, 2011.

Key Milestone Achieved for System Designed to Provide Persistent Communications and Surveillance at 20% of the Cost of Existing Solutions.

MONROVIA, Calif., Jan. 11, 2011—AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ:AVAV) today announced that the Global Observer™ unmanned aircraft system has successfully completed its historic first flight powered by the aircraft’s hydrogen-fueled propulsion system at Edwards Air Force Base (EAFB) in California.  This milestone marks the beginning of high altitude, long endurance flight testing for the demonstration and operational utility phase of the Joint Capability Technology Demonstration (JCTD) program.

MONROVIA, Calif., December 28, 2010—AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ:AVAV) announced today that it received an order valued at $46,226,984 under an existing contract with the U.S. Army.  The order comprises 123 new digital Raven® small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and initial spares packages as well as 186 digital retrofit kits for the U.S. Marine Corps. The order also includes 339 digital retrofit kits for the U.S. Army.  The Raven system and retrofit order represents the remainder of the funds appropriated for RQ-11B Raven system procurement in the 2010 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, which was signed into law in December 2009. 

MONROVIA, Calif., Dec. 8, 2010—AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ:AVAV) announced it received an order valued at $4,862,674 under a contract with the Norwegian Defence Logistics Organisation (NDLO).  The order comprises new Raven® small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), spares, training services and logistics support. Delivery of the systems is scheduled for early calendar 2011.

MONROVIA, Calif., Nov. 2, 2010 – AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ:AVAV) announced today that it has received a $17,197,960 cost-plus-fixed-fee letter contract that was previously announced by the United States Army on October 22. This letter contract establishes not-to-exceed amounts for digital Puma® All Environment (AE) unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) contractor logistics support, training and accounting for contract services in support of a Joint Urgent Operational Need Statement entitled “Unmanned Aircraft Systems for Route Clearance.” The services are scheduled to be delivered within the next 12 months.

WASHINGTON, at AUSA, Oct. 26, 2010 – AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ:AVAV) announced today that it has received a contract delivery order valued at $7,231,440 for new digital Puma® All Environment (AE) unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and training services. The items were procured under an existing United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) All Environment Capable Variant (AECV) indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract.

AeroVironment’s Global Observer Stratospheric Unmanned Aircraft System
Completes Initial Flight Testing

Demonstration Program Proceeding Toward Hydrogen-Fueled Flight Test Phase

WASHINGTON, at AUSA, Oct. 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 initial flight testing consisting of multiple low-altitude flights at Edwards Air Force Base (EAFB) in California.  This initial flight test phase of the demonstration program employed batteries to power the hybrid-electric aircraft and to approximate full aircraft weight and center of gravity for flight control, performance and responsiveness evaluation.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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., 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., 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.

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.