Puma™ 3 AE
04/03/2026
Product Family: Puma
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03/30/2026
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Press Release
AV Expands Presence in Europe with New UK Office, Coproduction Agreement to Support Defence Market
09/10/2025
LONDON, England, September 10, 2025 – AeroVironment, Inc. (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global leader in all-domain uncrewed systems and defence technologies, today announced the opening of its new office in Hereford, United Kingdom. The facility is strategically located to bring the full spectrum of the company’s capabilities to the UK and European defence markets, extending AV’s global operations.
The new location will host a diverse team representing various AV product lines, including Tomahawk Ground Control Systems (GCS), small uncrewed aircraft systems (sUAS), medium uncrewed aircraft systems (MUAS), and ground-based systems. The specialized team will focus on driving innovation, providing operational support, and strengthening AV’s growing regional presence.
“We are intentionally investing and expanding in the UK to strengthen our global network and better collaborate with our key European defence customers–all with a mission of driving innovative, next-generation solutions to our warfighters and allies,” said Trace Stevenson, president of Autonomous Systems at AV. “From our Tomahawk GCS to our industry-leading precision strike and defensive systems, AV’s cutting-edge, integrated, reliable, and agile solutions are meeting the evolving needs of our customers worldwide.”
In addition to opening its new facility, AV is announcing a coproduction agreement with TIA Group to begin UK-based manufacturing operations. Located in Aerotech Business Park in Cheltenham, England, TIA will produce AV’s Tomahawk GCS Grip 23 TE controller – a rugged human-machine integrated controller for all-domain uncrewed operations and situational awareness for diverse missions. TIA is an experienced mechanical and electronic manufacturer with proven success in delivering specialized solutions to the UK Government, UK Ministry of Defence (MOD), and NATO customers.
“TIA Group is proud to have established a strong partnership with AV, positioning us to fully support their expansion into the UK and regional markets,” said David G. Watson MBE, Managing Director of TIA Group. “This significant collaboration milestone will broaden AV’s reach and enable the delivery of a responsive, first-class service, providing best-in-class AV products to UKMOD, our European partners, and allied nations. By leveraging TIA Group’s expertise in design, development, and manufacturing here in the UK, we will continue to provide customers worldwide with the agility and innovation they need.”
“Our expansion across the UK not only cements the Tomahawk Grip as a cornerstone for our growth in regional markets but also enhances our ability to deliver the broader family of AV systems to our global allies with scale and speed,” said Jason Hendrix, AV’s vice president and general manager of Small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems. “Through strong partnerships with industry leaders like TIA and key customers like the UK MOD and other NATO allies, we are establishing a foundation for future expansion to meet the evolving needs of the global defence industry.”
About AeroVironment, Inc.
AeroVironment (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV) is a defense technology leader delivering integrated capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. The Company develops and deploys autonomous systems, loitering munitions, counter-UAS technologies, space-based platforms, directed energy systems, and cyber and electronic warfare capabilities—built to meet the mission needs of today’s warfighter and tomorrow’s conflicts. At the core of these technologies lies AV_Halo, a modular, mission-ready suite of AI-powered software tools that empowers warfighters and enables full-battlefield dominance: detect, decide, deliver. With a national manufacturing footprint and a deep innovation pipeline, AV delivers proven systems and future-defining capabilities at speed, scale, and operational relevance. For more information, visit www.avinc.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
Certain statements in this press release may constitute “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are made on the basis of current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors outside of our control, that may cause our business, strategy or actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, our ability to perform under existing contracts and obtain additional contracts; changes in the regulatory environment; the activities of competitors; failure of the markets in which we operate to grow; failure to expand into new markets; failure to develop new products or integrate new technology with current products; and general economic and business conditions in the United States and elsewhere in the world. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see the reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Contact:
AeroVironment
+1.703.418.2828
pr@avinc.com
Press Release
AV and Dutch Ministry of Defence Expand Partnership to Modernize Puma™ UAS Fleet and Deploy Scalable Long-Endurance Systems
05/13/2025
Arlington, Va., May 13, 2025 – AeroVironment, Inc. (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV) today announced a new contract with the Dutch Ministry of Defence (MoD) to modernize the Netherlands’ Puma™ UAS fleet with expanded capabilities for enhanced situational awareness and operational effectiveness.
Under the contract, the Dutch MoD is modernizing its Puma 3 AE UAS fleet with advanced capabilities that empower forces to carry out mission-critical operations autonomously and securely—even in GPS-denied and contested environments. Upgrades will boost survivability, strengthen communications and add the option for vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) to maximize operational agility. Deliveries are underway, with the upgraded systems set for rapid deployment at the squad and platoon levels.
Additionally, the Netherlands is expanding its UAS portfolio with the acquisition of Puma LE, which delivers extended endurance and range. Both Puma 3 AE and Puma LE provide scalable ISR capabilities for tactical formations and civilian missions.
Battle-proven in the toughest combat zones—including ongoing deployment in Ukraine—Puma systems have earned their reputation in real-world, high-threat environments. Continuous updates driven by frontline experience keep both platforms mission-ready, rapidly adaptable, and equipped with the latest tech to outpace evolving threats.
“Our expanded partnership with the Dutch MoD underscores the rising demand for adaptable, mission-ready uncrewed systems across NATO,” said Trace Stevenson, AV’s president of Autonomous Systems. “AV’s battle-proven Puma platforms are built to deliver real-time intelligence and unmatched battlefield agility—so our partners can make faster, smarter decisions in the world’s most contested environments.”
Designed for fast-paced, expeditionary operations, Puma UAS can be launched by a single soldier or from Fennek reconnaissance vehicles—enabling agile ISR at the edge. These upgrades are part of a broader Dutch initiative to modernize and scale uncrewed capability across their operations.
Solutions
Press Release
AV Unveils Advanced Software Updates to Enhance Puma UAS Capabilities in Contested Environments
11/14/2024
Arlington, VA, November 14, 2024 – AeroVironment (AV) announces a powerful suite of software updates, called Project GOLD, that elevate the battlefield effectiveness of its Puma™ 3 AE and Puma™ LE, in contested environments. The new updates bolster the Puma uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) to maintain reliable navigation and mission performance even when GNSS and communications signals are unreliable, unavailable or deliberately jammed. The software-only upgrades ensure Puma UAS can continue mission-critical tasks autonomously and securely, reducing reliance on GPS and enhancing survivability in hostile areas.
Featured Updates:
- GPS-Denied Capabilities: Puma 3 AE and Puma LE now support additional advanced Assured Position Navigation and Timing (APNT) capabilities in GNSS denied environments.
- Visual Navigation (VNS): Providing greater capability utilizing Puma’s VNS system with end-to-end GNSS-denied operation and an additional layer of GNSS spoofing detection and rejection.
- Enhanced Radio Security: Enhanced security features with the latest software and UI/UX ensuring robust communications in contested environments.
- Increased Payload: Software update allows for 60% increase in Puma 3 payload capacity, up to 6.5lbs of total payload for advanced multi-mission support.
“With these software enhancements, we’re reinforcing the adaptability and resilience of our Puma Systems for the most demanding battlefield conditions,” said Trace Stevenson, AV’s senior vice president and general manager of Uncrewed Systems. “These capabilities allow warfighters to maintain operational superiority, even when adversaries attempt to disrupt critical systems, ensuring greater mission success and survivability.”
These new capabilities are delivered through software updates, requiring no hardware modifications to existing systems, thus offering a cost-effective and rapid upgrade path for deployed fleets. All new Puma systems will include these features, and currently fielded units can be easily upgraded using the Puma Software Update Kit.
Solutions
Press Release
AV Unveils New AI Capability and Autonomy Kit for Unmanned Systems
04/23/2024
AV’s Autonomy Retrofit Kit (ARK) and AVACORE software deliver a suite of new single or multi-agent mission capabilities to autonomous systems
ARLINGTON, Va., April 23, 2024 – AeroVironment (AV) has introduced its Autonomy Retrofit Kit (ARK) and AVACORE software demonstrating the company’s commitment to advancing autonomy and machine learning capabilities to increase effectiveness of autonomous systems and reduce operator burdens. ARK and AVACORE bring AV’s accelerated autonomy to fielded assets such as Puma™ 3 AE and Puma™ LE, in addition to future autonomous systems.
ARK is a quick-connect payload introducing a new suite of intelligent mission capabilities for Group 1+ unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). Providing edge computing for mission-critical applications, ARK enables operators to task a single or multi-vehicle team with mission objectives for fully autonomous execution while operating in communications-contested environments. ARK also intelligently integrates with distributed groups of dismounted units in a Mobile Ad Hoc Network (MANET) using the Android Team Awareness Kit (ATAK).
AVACORE is AV’s autonomy software providing an open framework for unmanned systems. It features a modular set of interfaces such as autopilots, radios and sensors, and supports rapid integration with new platforms and applications. ARK also comes preinstalled with SPOTR-Edge, AV’s computer vision software, for onboard detection, classification, localization, and tracking of operationally relevant objects including people, vehicles, aircraft, and maritime vessels, day or night.
“ARK and AVACORE provide enhanced capabilities and critical advantages to warfighters on complex battlefields,” said AV’s Senior Vice President of MacCready Works, Jeff Rodrian. “This payload combines AV’s unparalleled autonomy and field-proven computer vision SPOTR-Edge to accelerate awareness and mission success.”
Through the combination of autonomy and computer vision, ARK and AVACORE allow operators to select a wide variety of single or multi-agent capabilities including multi-region search, track and follow and more. The introduction of these systems builds upon AV’s proven and trusted family of autonomous systems, bringing a scalable, adaptable AI toolset to fielded and new assets for safer, smarter mission capabilities.
“AVACORE features an intuitive behavior tree approach allowing flexibility for rapid development and adoption of new autonomous missions,” continued Rodrian. “This results in smarter systems with reduced cognitive load for warfighters.”
Click here to request additional information on AV’s ARK and AVACORE.