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AV Featured on CBS News’ 60 Minutes

03/15/2026

AV Featured on CBS News’ 60 Minutes

ARLINGTON, Va., March 15, 2026 – AeroVironment, Inc. (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global defense technology leader, was featured on CBS News’ 60 Minutes in a national television broadcast that examined the company’s role in the rapid evolution of advanced technologies that are shaping the future of global security.

The segment, entitled “Laser Focus,” provided viewers with a behind-the-scenes look at the technologies and engineers driving innovation at AV, while also examining how scalable, cost-effective defense solutions, like AV’s laser weapons systems, are becoming increasingly critical in an era defined by proliferating autonomous threats and rapidly advancing battlefield technologies.

During the program, 60 Minutes correspondent Lesley Stahl visited AV’s Albuquerque, New Mexico facility for a firsthand look at the company’s advanced engineering and development operations, where teams are designing systems capable of detecting, tracking, and defeating increasingly sophisticated unmanned aerial threats. Stahl also interviewed Wahid Nawabi, AV’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer.

“60 Minutes recognized what many of our partners across government and industry already know—that AV is at the forefront of the technologies reshaping modern defense,” said Nawabi. “From autonomous systems to counter-UAS and directed energy laser weapons systems, our teams are developing capabilities designed to address the rapidly evolving threats facing the United States and its allies.”

As part of the segment, Stahl also participated in a demonstration of AV’s LOCUST®, a high-energy laser weapon system capable of defeating aerial threats at the speed of light. Working alongside John Garrity, AV’s Vice President of Directed Energy Systems, Stahl operated the LOCUST system during a controlled demonstration at the company’s New Mexico facility, where she detected, tracked, and neutralized a drone target.

In addition to LOCUST, the segment featured Switchblade®, AV’s man-portable loitering munition system widely used in modern conflicts, including Ukraine.

60 Minutes, one of the most widely viewed and influential news programs in the world, reaches millions of viewers each week and is known for in-depth reporting on issues shaping global policy, technology, and national security.

The full segment is available on CBS News and 60 Minutes digital platforms.

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AV Awarded $97 Million U.S. Army Contract to Advance Next-Generation Sensor Testing

03/05/2026

AV Awarded $97 Million U.S. Army Contract to Advance Next-Generation Sensor Testing

ARLINGTON, Va. – March 5, 2026 – AeroVironment, Inc. (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV), a leading provider of advanced research and development solutions for national security missions, today announced it has been awarded a three-year, $97.4 million contract under the U.S. Army’s Aviation and Missile Technology Consortium (AMTC) to develop and deliver the Generative Environment for the Next Era of Spectral Imaging Stimulators (GENESIS)—a next-generation Hardware-in-the-Loop (HWIL) test environment for validating advanced missile defense and electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor systems.

AV will design and integrate prototype test environments—including flight motion table and cryogenic space chamber facilities—at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, to accelerate the next generation of Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD). The unified environment will enable joint planning, modeling, and validation across space, air, and missile defense domains in support of the Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center (DEVCOM AvMC), and its government partners.

“True innovation in defense starts long before technology reaches the battlefield—it starts in how we test, refine, and prove it,” said Mary Clum, President of Space, Cyber and Directed Energy at AV. “By creating realistic, repeatable, and scalable testing ecosystems, we’re helping the Army accelerate innovation, strengthen deterrence, and ensure our warfighters maintain a decisive advantage in every domain.”

GENESIS represents a generational leap in Hardware-in-the-Loop (HWIL) capability, integrating advanced multi-spectral projection, ultra–high frame-rate imaging, precision optics, and intelligent facility control systems to recreate complex, real-world environments with unmatched fidelity. By combining real hardware with simulated environments, HWIL and Scene Generation enable realistic, dynamic testing of sensors, guidance, and control systems, allowing DEVCOM AvMC to validate and field technologies faster and with greater confidence, while refining performance, reducing risk, and strengthening the industrial base for future military applications.

“GENESIS shows what’s possible when industry and government align around a shared vision of innovation,” said Johnathan Jones, Senior Vice President for Cyber and Mission Solutions at AV. “We’re pushing the boundaries of sensor testing—advancing realism and precision to help the U.S. military accelerate development, reduce risk, and deliver mission-ready technologies that preserve our nation’s decisive advantage and give warfighters the most capable, reliable systems possible.”

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AV Partners with City of Albuquerque and State of New Mexico in Defense Manufacturing Expansion

03/03/2026

LOCUST

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — March 3, 2026 — AeroVironment, Inc. (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global leader in advanced defense and aerospace solutions, today announced plans to invest more than $30 million to significantly expand its manufacturing operations in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Supported by an initial $5 million from the State of New Mexico and $1 million from the City of Albuquerque through the Local Economic Development Act (LEDA), the investment will expand AV’s manufacturing operations across its three existing manufacturing sites in the Sandia Science & Technology Park while supporting major capital equipment purchases and workforce growth.

“The growth we’re driving in Albuquerque goes beyond our own business,” said Wahid Nawabi, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer at AV. “It’s about strengthening the domestic defense industrial base, creating high-quality American jobs, and partnering with New Mexico to continue to develop a durable innovation and manufacturing hub that can deliver when it matters most.”

The investment will further establish a vertically integrated, next-generation manufacturing campus expected to generate more than $670 million in economic impact over the next 10 years, boost production of mission-critical defense and space technologies, create more than 450 high-wage jobs, and strengthen New Mexico’s role in the U.S. defense industrial base by enabling scaled domestic production of directed energy systems and space-grade components that support national security and resilient supply chains.

As part of the expansion, the State of New Mexico and City of Albuquerque have approved a $6 million performance-based incentive package, structured as cash reimbursements tied to verified hiring milestones. The incentive reflects AV’s long-term commitment to New Mexico’s advanced manufacturing and technology workforce, where the company currently employs more than 400 people and has a proven growth record of nearly 30 percent year-over-year from 2023 to 2026.

AV’s Albuquerque operations are a cornerstone of the company’s advanced manufacturing strategy, anchored by its Space & Directed Energy Group, which supports next-generation defense, aerospace, and commercial space programs and develops advanced capabilities, including laser communications, counter-UAS systems, and autonomous and space-based solutions, while also supporting prototype development for U.S. military customers and regional testing and operations.

“This move marks a step change in our ability to deliver mission-critical capabilities at scale,” said Mary Clum, President of AV’s Space, Cyber & Directed Energy segment. “Albuquerque is a strategic production and integration hub for space-grade components and directed energy systems that directly support U.S. national security priorities. The state’s partnership allows us to accelerate manufacturing, strengthen domestic supply chains, and deliver advanced capabilities to our customers faster and more reliably.”

AV currently manufactures several products critical to national security priorities, including advanced radio frequency (RF) systems, satellite communications ground terminals, laser systems and stabilized precision optics and tracking technologies, among others.

“This expansion comes as the federal government continues to emphasize the importance of defense contractors leaning forward, investing in domestic facilities, resilient supply chains, and skilled workforces that can deliver critical capabilities at scale, on time, and cost-effectively,” said Church Hutton, Chief Growth Officer at AV. “AV’s Albuquerque growth reflects this national priority and positions the company to meet accelerating demand across defense, aerospace, and space markets.”

“Albuquerque is where defense innovation becomes advanced manufacturing,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “With LEDA support, AV Defense is expanding here, bringing hundreds of good-paying jobs and strengthening our local economy.”

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AV, Inc. to Announce Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2026 Earnings and Host Conference Call

02/27/2026

ARLINGTON, Va., February 27, 2026 – AeroVironment, Inc. (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV) will report its financial results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2026, which ended January 31, 2026, after the market closes on March 10, 2026. Management will host a conference call and live audio webcast at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time that same day to discuss the results.

The call will be led by Wahid Nawabi, AV’s chairman, president, and chief executive officer; Kevin P. McDonnell, executive vice president and chief financial officer; and Denise Pacioni, head investor relations officer.

Investors may access the conference call by registering through the following link up to 10 minutes before the event begins:

Conference Call Details

Date: March 10, 2026 Time: 4:30 p.m. ET | 1:30 p.m. PT | 2:30 p.m. MT | 3:30 p.m. CT Participant registration URL:

https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BI42ffd1d0f4154de3b038f735824a329c

The live audio webcast will also be accessible via the Investor Relations section of AV’s website, http://investor.avinc.com. Please access the site 15 minutes before the event to ensure any necessary software is downloaded.

Audio Replay

An audio replay and transcript of the event will be archived on the Investor Relations section of the company’s website shortly after the event: http://investor.avinc.com.

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AV Receives $186 Million U.S. Army Delivery Order for Next-Generation Switchblade Systems

02/26/2026

AV Receives $186 Million U.S. Army Delivery Order for Next-Generation Switchblade Systems

ARLINGTON, Va. — February 26, 2026 — AeroVironment, Inc. (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global leader in autonomous systems and precision strike solutions, today announced receipt of a $186 million delivery order from the U.S. Army for Switchblade® 600 Block 2 and Switchblade® 300 Block 20 explosively formed penetrator (EFP) loitering munition systems.

The order was issued under the Army’s existing five-year, $990 million Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract for Lethal Unmanned Systems (LUS), which was awarded in August 2024. This delivery order marks the U.S. Army’s first procurement of AV’s next-generation Switchblade product line, underlining a significant step forward in fielding advanced, precision loitering munitions across infantry and maneuver formations. It is the Army’s first Switchblade order containing EFP payload, delivering enhanced lethality against armored threats.

“This delivery order reflects the Army’s confidence in the next evolution of the Switchblade family and its relevance to modern, contested battlefields,” said Brian Young, Senior Vice President of Loitering Munitions at AV. “Switchblade 600 Block 2 and Switchblade 300 Block 20 build on years of combat experience while delivering meaningful upgrades in autonomy, resilience, and lethality tailored to today’s operational demands.”

Switchblade 600 Block 2 is AV’s most advanced long-range loitering munition to date, designed for multi-domain operations and ruggedized for maritime and highly contested environments. Developed in collaboration with United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM), the system features upgraded avionics and advanced Automatic Target Recognition (ATR), enabling faster detection, identification, and engagement of threats. Integrated resilient communications, including Silvus MANET radios, support distributed operations and extended handoff ranges, while improved navigation and mission resilience allow effective employment in GPS-challenged environments. These upgrades provide commanders with increased reach, flexibility, and confidence against armored and high-value targets.

Switchblade 300 Block 20 introduces a new modular payload capability to the combat-proven, backpackable loitering munition. For the first time, the Army has procured the system with an Explosively Formed Penetrator (EFP) payload, delivering enhanced lethality against armored threats while retaining the speed, portability, and ease of use that have made Switchblade 300 a trusted solution at the small-unit level. The Block 20 configuration also includes sensor improvements, enhanced user interfaces, and extended range options, allowing rapid, precision effects beyond line of sight.

Together, the Switchblade 600 Block 2 and Switchblade 300 Block 20 provide the Army with a scalable family of precision loitering munitions—from lightweight, single-operator systems to long-endurance, multi-domain capabilities—designed to operate seamlessly across echelons and mission sets.

“This delivery order further advances the Army’s Lethal Unmanned Systems Directed Requirement and reinforces AV’s role as the leading provider of combat-proven loitering munition systems,” said Young. “As we continue to invest in expanding Switchblade manufacturing capacity and accelerating delivery timelines, we are continuing to meet the growing demand for these products from U.S. and allied forces.”

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AV Announces Retirement of Chief Financial Officer Kevin McDonnell

02/23/2026

AV Announces Retirement of Chief Financial Officer Kevin McDonnellARLINGTON, Va., February 23, 2026 – AeroVironment, Inc. (“AV” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global defense technology leader, today announced that Kevin McDonnell, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, has informed the Company of his decision to retire from AV, effective July 31, 2026.

“Kevin has played an important role in strengthening AV’s financial performance, driving improved profitability during a period of revenue, bookings and backlog growth,” said Wahid Nawabi, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “On behalf of our Board and leadership team, I thank Kevin for his contributions to the Company and our finance organization. We wish him all the best in his retirement.”

McDonnell joined AV in 2020. During his tenure as CFO, AV strengthened its balance sheet, enhanced its financial and operational discipline, completed strategic acquisitions and organic growth initiatives, and reinforced its capital allocation framework to drive long-term shareholder value.

“It has been a privilege to work with Wahid and the team at AV during an important period for the Company, including with the successful integration of BlueHalo,” said Kevin McDonnell, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. “I am proud of the progress we have made in strengthening our financial foundation and supporting our strategy. AV is well positioned for the future, and I look forward to watching the Company’s continued success.”

AV is actively working to find a successor and McDonnell will continue to support through the transition period.

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AV, Inc. to Present at Citizens Technology Conference

02/18/2026

ARLINGTON, Va., February 18, 2026 – AeroVironment, Inc. (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV) will participate in the upcoming Citizens Technology Conference in San Francisco, California. AV Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Kevin McDonnell will take part in a fireside chat on March 2 at 6:30 p.m. ET | 5:30 p.m. CT | 3:30 p.m. PT. The fireside chat will be webcast live at the times listed above and archived on AV’s website at the link below:

About AV

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 defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations, forecasts, and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to, our ability to perform under existing contracts and obtain new ones; regulatory changes; competitor activities; market growth; product development challenges; and general economic conditions. For a more detailed discussion of these risks, please refer to AeroVironment’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events.

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AV’s UES Awarded $75 Million Task Order Extending Contract to Advance Biotechnology and Smart Materials for the U.S. Air Force

01/28/2026

AV’s UES Awarded $75 Million Task Order Extending Contract to Advance Biotechnology and Smart Materials for the U.S. Air Force

ARLINGTON, Va. – January 28, 2026 – The United States Air Force has awarded UES, a division of advanced research and development leader AeroVironment, Inc. (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV), a $75 million task order to modernize defense systems through the development of next-generation biotechnology and materials science under the Functional Responsive Experimentation for Systems and Humans (FRESH) program at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio.

Under Task Order 0003 (TO-03), titled “Biotechnology and Biomaterials and Polymers and Responsive Materials, Research, Development, and Exploration,” AV will develop and evaluate new materials, processing methods, and modeling techniques to create advanced polymers and responsive materials that enhance the performance and resilience of Air Force assets across air, space, and weapons systems, expanding the company’s ongoing work with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).

“We’re entering an era where biology and materials science are converging,” said Dr. John Hogan, Vice President of Defense and Interagency Services at AV. “Our work under this program explores that frontier—creating responsive systems that enhance human performance, reduce maintenance burdens, and ensure operational dominance for the Air Force.”

Over the 60-month period of performance, AV will advance discovery and innovation in biomanufacturing, polymers, and responsive materials—integrating biologically driven methods for material degradation, rare earth extraction, and human–machine teaming with advances in flexible electronics, additive “smart” materials, biomimetic design, and synthetic biology. This work will accelerate the development of adaptive, high-performance materials and biologically inspired systems that reduce lifecycle costs, increase resilience, and maintain the Air Force’s technological edge over adversaries.

Research and development will also leverage artificial intelligence to speed discovery, testing, and environmental evaluation, in order to sustain and optimize mission-critical assets, enhance human performance through cognitive and physiological monitoring, and ensure breakthroughs transition seamlessly from the laboratory to the field to strengthen America’s operational advantage.

“This award reaffirms the trust the U.S. Air Force has placed in AV to push the frontiers of science in service of national defense,” said Johnathan Jones, Senior Vice President of Cyber and Mission Solutions at AV. “Our collaboration continues to demonstrate how applied innovation in biotechnology and materials science can directly enhance operational capability, extend system lifecycles, and safeguard those who serve.”

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AV and CAL Analytics Launch Operational BVLOS Airspace Management Facility in Partnership with the U.S. Air Force and Ohio Department of Transportation

01/27/2026

AV and CAL Analytics Launch Operational BVLOS Airspace Management Facility in Partnership with the U.S. Air Force and Ohio Department of Transportation

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio – January 27, 2026 – AeroVironment, Inc. (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global defense technology leader delivering software-enabled disruptive autonomous systems, and CAL Analytics, an innovator in advanced airspace management technologies, today announced the completed installation and initial operation of a new Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) airspace management facility at the National Advanced Air Mobility Center of Excellence (NAAMCE) at Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport in Springfield, Ohio.

Initially developed under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) between the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), the project now features an upgraded installation that integrates AV_Halo™ COMMAND, AV’s command and control (C2) architecture, with CAL Analytics’ Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) enterprise platform to establish the nation’s premiere test environment and management facility, where Department of War operators can safely conduct BVLOS missions in shared airspace utilizing existing Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ground radar feeds.

“This installation establishes the blueprint for how airports and states across the country can safely integrate uncrewed aircraft into existing airspace,” said Wahid Nawabi, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer at AV. “As the FAA defines the future of BVLOS rule-making, this facility provides the real-world operational data, safety validation, and interoperability framework regulators need. The system we’ve installed in Ohio isn’t just a mock-up or a test site — pending FAA approval it will be an operational and scalable model for nationwide deployment and the foundation for truly integrated air mobility.”

The integration will support flight tests, evaluation, and day-to-day operations by routing AFRL’s access to the FAA’s ground-radar network through AV_Halo™ COMMAND — AV’s modular, software-driven C2 architecture that fuses multiple enhanced sensor feeds, into a single, secure operating picture, giving operators continuous situational awareness for BVLOS mission planning and airspace safety.

“AV_Halo is the connective tissue that turns a collection of sensors, radars, and platforms into a living, breathing airspace system,” said Stephen Lloyd, Senior Director C2, CUAS, and Tracking at AV. “By fusing FAA ground radar, and COTS surveillance sensors into a single, secure operating picture, AV_Halo delivers the assured visibility and machine-speed decision support needed for predictable BVLOS operations—and makes it possible to scale effortlessly from a single site to an entire statewide corridor.”

When combined with CAL Analytics’ AAM enterprise platform, the system unifies radar and advanced DAA into a single real-time airspace view—enabling detect-and-avoid, extending autonomous BVLOS operations with precision and confidence.

“Beyond Visual Line of Sight operations are the key to unlocking the next generation of air mobility,” said Dr. Sean Calhoun, Managing Director of CAL Analytics. “This facility will prove that BVLOS can be executed safely and reliably in shared airspace—and that matters because it sets the foundation for statewide corridors, national standards, and an entirely new layer of transportation infrastructure that will reshape how we move people, goods, data, and critical services across the country.”

Pending full FAA approval, the facility will support local missions and real-time monitoring of UAS activity as AFRL, ODOT, the FAA, AV, and CAL Analytics collaborate to validate airspace-safety technologies, advance air-mobility corridors, drive economic development, and shape national BVLOS rules and integration standards.

Plans are already underway to extend the system to enable corridors between Springfield and Columbus, Ohio, adding new radar sites and expanding detect-and-avoid coverage to support broader BVLOS operations across Ohio and additional sites nationwide.

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Mission Specialist Wraith Signals AeroVironment’s Next Step in Compact Unmanned Underwater Systems Capability

01/13/2026

Mission Specialist Wraith Signals AeroVironment’s Next Step in Compact Unmanned Underwater Systems Capability

POTTSTOWN, PA — (January 13, 2026) — AeroVironment Inc. (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV), a leading provider of all domain autonomous systems, today announced the launch of the Mission Specialist Wraith, the newest addition to the Mission Specialist Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) series developed by its wholly owned subsidiary, VideoRay. Designed for demanding subsea operations, Wraith delivers a new level of agility, power, and control in a compact, expeditionary-ready platform.

Engineered for extreme agility and precision in challenging subsea environments, Wraith delivers true six-degree-of-freedom maneuverability through 10 vectored thrusters, allowing it to hold any attitude—vertical, inverted, or fully rolled—while maintaining stability, power, and control in strong currents and at depth. The platform supports a wide range of payloads, including advanced imaging, navigation, and manipulation tools, making it well suited for subsea inspection, defense, and scientific missions.

“Modern operations increasingly depend on access, awareness, and freedom of maneuver below the surface,” said Chris Gibson, Chief Executive Officer at VideoRay. “Wraith gives forces a compact, rapidly deployable system that delivers the precision and control once reserved for much larger vehicles, helping operators extend reach, reduce risk to personnel, and respond faster in complex maritime environments. It expands what compact UUVs can achieve while improving overall mission efficiency.”

Built on VideoRay’s proven open-architecture Mission Specialist design philosophy, Wraith enables rapid reconfiguration, seamless third-party integration, and simplified field serviceability. With up to 80 pounds of forward thrust and simultaneous lift, the platform enables rapid direct-to-target transit and precise station-keeping, even in high-current environments.

The newly released Mission Specialist Wraith Expeditionary configuration marks the first step in a planned spiral development for the product. Future iterations will expand depth capability, payload capacity, endurance, and system flexibility, ensuring the Wraith platform continues to evolve alongside customer requirements and emerging technologies.

Details regarding VideoRay’s Mission Specialist Wraith are available at:
https://videoray.com/products/mission-specialist-wraith

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AeroVironment Awarded $4.8 million Contract for ROVs to support U.S. Coast Guard Modernization Plan

12/11/2025

POTTSTOWN, PA – December 11, 2025 — AeroVironment, Inc. (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV), a leading provider of underwater robotic systems, today announced it has been awarded a $4.8 million United States Coast Guard contract through its wholly owned subsidiary, VideoRay, to deliver Mission Specialist Defender remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) as part of the Service’s Force Design 2028 modernization initiative.

The Defender will enhance the Coast Guard’s maritime response capabilities by enabling rapid underwater inspections, pier inspections, hull assessments, subsurface infrastructure surveys, disaster response and search and rescue operations in challenging environments—reducing diver risk while increasing mission safety, operational efficiency, and fleet readiness.

AeroVironment Awarded $4.8 million Contract for ROVs to support U.S. Coast Guard Modernization Plan

“The selection of the Mission Specialist Defender reinforces our ability to deliver proven technology to address the most demanding defense and security missions,” said Chris Gibson, Chief Executive Officer at VideoRay. “Customers have come to depend on VideoRay when failure is not an option. As AV’s maritime pillar, we’re proud to contribute to the organization’s all-domain uncrewed systems strategy to ensure the safety and security of our forces.”

As part of Force Design 2028, the Coast Guard established the Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) Program Executive Office to rapidly integrate unmanned and robotic technologies across all missions, including investments in robotics and autonomous systems designed to build a more agile, technology-enabled, and globally ready force for the evolving maritime domain.

AV’s $4.8 million award—the largest award of the $11 million executed in fiscal year 2025 for rapid autonomous fleet upgrades—will strengthen Coast Guard operations with proven, advanced maritime robotics. The selection of the Mission Specialist Defender builds on the company’s expanding track record with U.S. and allied defense customers, including the Navy’s Maritime Expeditionary Standoff Response (MESR) program.

“These unmanned systems provide increased domain awareness, mitigating risk and enhancing mission success as the Coast Guard continues to operate in hazardous environments,” said Anthony Antognoli, the Coast Guard’s first RAS program executive officer, in a separate release issued by the U.S. Coast Guard in September 2025. “The Coast Guard’s mission demands agility, awareness and adaptability. Robotics and autonomous systems deliver all three, enabling us to respond faster, operate smarter and extend our reach where it matters most. We are not waiting for the future to arrive. We are delivering it to the fleet today.”

Built on a modular, open-architecture design, the Mission Specialist Defender allows operators to easily integrate advanced sensors, manipulators, and specialized payloads. This flexibility ensures adaptability to evolving mission requirements, while field-swappable modules enable on-site maintenance and repairs—minimizing downtime and maintaining operational tempo.

Details regarding the Mission Specialist Defender can be found at: https://videoray.com/products/mission-specialist-defender

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AeroVironment and General Dynamics Land Systems Successfully Demonstrate PERCH Loitering Munitions Launcher

12/10/2025

AeroVironment and General Dynamics Land Systems Successfully Demonstrate PERCH Loitering Munitions LauncherGeneral Dynamics Land Systems today announced a successful demonstration of the Precision Effects & Reconnaissance, Canister-Housed (PERCH) system, codeveloped with strategic partner AeroVironment (AV), at the U.S. Army’s Machine Assisted Rugged Sapper (MARS) event at Fort Hood, Texas.

PERCH is a modular kit that integrates AV’s Switchblade 300 and Switchblade 600 loitering munitions into M1A2 Abrams SEPv3 main battle tanks and Stryker infantry carrier vehicles for beyond-line-of-sight surveillance and lethality. PERCH does not require welding nor cutting for mounting; instead, it replaces the Abrams’ loader sponson box and is bolted into place using existing attachment points. Future iterations will operate on existing vehicle computer systems.

At the MARS demo on Oct. 26-30, users completed a complex obstacle breach with the aid of beyond-line-of-sight reconnaissance and over-the-horizon targeting of high-value targets provided by a Switchblade 300 and a Switchblade 600 launched from an Abrams tank via PERCH.

“PERCH allows units to deploy Switchblade loitering munitions far forward on the battlefield while remaining covered and concealed themselves,” said Jim Pasquarette, vice president, U.S. strategy and business development, General Dynamics Land Systems. “We have seen a lot of Soldier interest in this readymade, effective concept, and we look forward to future demonstrations. With our partners at AV, we’re generating the power to win on the modern battlefield.”

“Integrating Switchblade 300 and 600 into General Dynamics Land Systems platforms through the PERCH modular kit delivers immediate operational advantages – extending reach and enabling rapid, precise effects from protected positions,” said Brian Young, senior vice president, loitering munitions systems at AV. “This demonstration showcased the expanded beyond-line-of-sight precision engagement capabilities available to our military by embedding mature loitering munition systems on combat vehicles. We value our partnership with GDLS and our shared commitment to delivering reliable, field-ready solutions to warfighters.” Learn more.

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