AV’s uniquely talented team of intelligent, creative, and dedicated people are determined to improve outcomes for our customers, and our planet, by redefining what’s possible today.
Whether it’s an AV uncrewed aircraft giving warfighters beyond-line-of-sight intel, an AV unmanned ground vehicle protecting emergency responders and the public, or an AV high altitude pseudo-satellite expanding Internet access around the globe, our cutting-edge innovations get results.
AV puts cutting-edge tools in the hands of those who need them most, including frontline warfighters, first responders, space explorers, and more. Wherever duty takes these heroes—from air, land, and sea to space and cyber—our solutions provide them with game-changing perspectives, capabilities, and control to protect their lives and empower their missions.
AV solves challenging problems in practical ways. We scrutinize every design and test each prototype until it proves easy to use and effective in every aspect of operation. We never stop looking for ways to improve the simplicity, usability, efficiency, and efficacy of our solutions.
We are a curious, creative, and optimistic team excited to take on challenges others wouldn’t even consider. For us, “problems” are opportunities and “failures” are fresh sources of information. After all, everything we’ve created was once thought impossible.
Innovation is in our DNA. Since Dr. Paul B. MacCready, Jr.—the famed pioneer of human flight—founded AV in 1971, we’ve been setting world records, winning prestigious prizes, and working with the best organizations on the planet to redefine human achievement.
We are determined to be as efficient as possible, from our own operations to the performance of our products. While others are driven by scope and scale, we work on a more personal and tactical level, providing our customers with greater visibility, agility, and utility.
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Independent Director
Independent Director
Independent Director
Independent Director
Lead Independent Director
Independent Director
Independent Director
From the Gossamer Condor, the world’s first human-powered airplane, to the Puma, telemax EVO, Switchblade and Sunglider of today, AV has been pushing the possibilities of what humans can accomplish for more than 50 years.
Gossamer Condor and Albatross win Kremer Prizes, 1977 & 1979
Pointer is first man-portable Unmanned Aircraft System, 1986
Helios becomes the world’s highest-flying airplane, 2001
Ingenuity is the first helicopter to fly on Mars, 2021
Eight AV innovations are featured in the Smithsonian Institution
Switchblade began service to NATO customers, including Ukraine, 2022
At AV, we’re doing more than changing the world through radical innovation—we’re doing it the right way. Hiring more thoughtfully, to build a more diverse and capable workforce. Operating more transparently, at the highest standards of compliance, governance, and accountability. And working greener, prioritizing the health of the planet we all share.
We’re a different kind of organization built from a different breed of people. Autonomous, yet team oriented. Accomplished, yet eager. Ambitious, yet accountable. We turn unrealistic expectations into practical solutions. If this sounds like you, please read on.
