Category: Press Release

Press Release

Taiwan to Receive AV’s Switchblade 300 Loitering Munition Systems

07/02/2024

Taiwan to Receive AV’s Switchblade 300 Loitering Munition Systems

ARLINGTON, Va., July 2, 2024 – The U.S. Department of State announced approval of a possible foreign military sale of AeroVironment (AV) Switchblade® 300 loitering munition systems to Taiwan for an estimated $60.2 million. The proposed sale will bolster Taiwan’s defensive capabilities and supports U.S. national security and economic interests in the Indo-Pacific region.

AV’s combat-proven Switchblade 300 systems have been deployed by the U.S. Army for more than a decade and are currently providing real-time ISR and precision strike support on battlefields in Ukraine. Ideal for use against beyond-line-of-sight targets, Switchblade systems were previously approved by the U.S. Government for use by Ukraine, France, the United Kingdom and additional allies after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The latest iteration of the system – Switchblade 300 Block 20 – features alternative warheads, including an armor penetrating capability, increased target attack angle, and significantly greater battery life, flight endurance, and radio link range.

“Switchblade 300 continues to be a critical weapon employed by the U.S. and its allies to defend homelands and operational forces against adversaries,” said Brett Hush, AV’s senior vice president and general manager for Loitering Munition Systems. “We have proven in steady combat against modern enemies that Switchblade 300 provides forces a competitive edge on the battlefield, introducing precise, long-range fires well beyond their current capabilities.”

The backpackable, lightweight Switchblade 300 offers operators the flexibility to rapidly maneuver on the ground, in and out of vehicles, or within fixed defensive positions prior to launch. Real-time video, GPS coordinates, selectable warheads, and wave-off capabilities provide the operator a proven, reliable asset that can be employed in various domains.

“AV looks forward to supporting the U.S. and Taiwan in rapidly fielding these highly effective weapon systems to deter aggression, defend the airspace and waters around Taiwan, and assist in maintaining political stability,” continued Hush.

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AV Successfully Flight Tests JUMP 20 VTOL UAS with a Heavy Fuel Engine

06/18/2024

AV Successfully Flight Tests JUMP 20 VTOL UAS with a Heavy Fuel Engine

Heavy fuel engine provides JUMP 20 with greater performance, efficient fuel consumption and longer operational lifespan

ARLINGTON, Va., June 18, 2024 – AeroVironment (AV) successfully demonstrated its JUMP® 20 uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) with a heavy fuel engine. The higher horsepower and lower fuel burn rate provided by the heavy fuel engine expands the capabilities of AV’s proven JUMP 20 platform. Integration of the heavy fuel engine further establishes the JUMP 20 as a multi-domain multi-mission UAS capable of autonomously operating in challenging conditions.

“The addition of a heavy fuel engine to the JUMP 20 provides global forces an unparalleled VTOL solution with a longer operational lifespan, greater performance and efficient fuel consumption. It is well suited for land and sea domains where available fuel sources could be dictated by the respective logistics support plan,” said Shane Hastings, AV’s vice president and general manager of Medium UAS. “Heavy fuel compatibility continues to be a strong requirement for many customers, and we’ve made great strides in making our proven JUMP 20 fully compliant with these requirements.”

AV’s JUMP 20 is a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), fixed-wing UAS with 13+ hours of endurance and an operational range of 185 km (115 mi). The 15 hp engine is purpose-built for uncrewed systems and capable of running on multiple fuels and gasoline. With over 15 hp output, the high endurance, minimal fuel burn engine also requires less frequent maintenance cycles and overhauls. It is lighter than traditional gasoline engines and has an auto-start capability that delivers customers a simplified UAS requiring less operator engagement to operate and sustain.

“With successful test flights under our belt, AV is excited to continue system testing and further optimizing JUMP 20 with heavy fuel capabilities. This milestone further demonstrates AV’s ability to deliver highly mature and reliable systems capable of working in the most extreme environmental conditions,” continued Hastings.

 

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AV to Develop its Wildcat Autonomous VTOL UAS for DARPA’s ANCILLARY Program

05/28/2024

AV to Develop its Wildcat Autonomous VTOL UAS for DARPA’s ANCILLARY Program

ARLINGTON, Va., May 28, 2024 – AeroVironment (AV) was down selected by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) for continued development of its X-Plane design for the agency’s AdvaNced airCraft Infrastructure-Less Launch And RecoverY (ANCILLARY) program. AV’s offering – Wildcat – is a Group 3 vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) developed specifically to execute ship-based operations in challenging maritime environments.

“We have prioritized controllability to ensure Wildcat meets the ‘anytime, anywhere’ goal of DARPA’s ANCILLARY program,” said AV’s Vice President of MacCready Works Chris Fisher. “Wildcat leans on autonomy to reduce operational burdens while enabling safe, infrastructure-less launch and recovery in challenging conditions from a range of Navy ships.”

Wildcat leverages AV’s SPOTR-Edge machine learning-enabled computer vision to enhance mission effectiveness. This capability builds on operational learnings AV has gained as a leader in the Group 1 to 3 UAS space with millions of operational flight hours on its Raven®, Puma™ AE, and JUMP® 20 uncrewed systems.

ANCILLARY calls for the development of a low-weight, large-payload, long-endurance VTOL UAS for missions executed by the U.S. Navy and Marines. AV’s Wildcat pushes beyond current Group 3 UAS offerings and provides expanded mission capabilities to address and overcome evolving threat landscapes.

Designed specifically for the ANCILLARY program, Wildcat meets DARPA’s objectives for a 450 nautical mile (nmi) mission radius and over 12 hours of endurance on station with 60 lbs of payload. Additionally, Wildcat exceeds program objectives for sea state recovery and cruise speed, with the ability to operate in high sea states and winds, and dash over 100 knots to quickly cover long distances over sea or land.

Wildcat’s large modular payload capacity will enhance mission responsiveness and flexibility, and its tail-sitter design requires fractional infrastructure and footprint compared to other offerings. It is designed to operate as part of a larger fleet of Wildcat UAS that leverage collision-avoidance and autonomy to deconflict airspace and collaborate to perform search missions in degraded or denied airspace.

“Our solutions are specifically crafted for the operator and Wildcat is no exception. AV has a strong history of seamlessly integrating our systems into a soldier’s daily operations and we look forward to further developing this design in partnership with DARPA and the Office of Naval Research for the ANCILLARY program,” continued Fisher.

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AV’s Switchblade 600 Selected for Tranche 1 of the U.S. Department of Defense’s Replicator Initiative

05/07/2024

AV’s Switchblade 600 Selected for Tranche 1 of the U.S. Department of Defense’s Replicator Initiative

ARLINGTON, Va., May 7, 2024 – AeroVironment’s (AV) Switchblade 600 loitering munition system has been selected for Tranche 1 of the first iteration of the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD) Replicator initiative. AV’s Switchblade 600 is a man-portable, extended-range loitering munition system equipped with an anti-armor warhead for engaging larger, hardened targets at greater distances. The first iteration of the Replicator initiative aims to accelerate all-domain, attritable autonomous systems to warfighters at speed and scale.

The first iteration of the Replicator initiative will field thousands of autonomous systems across multiple domains within the next 18-24 months, as part of the Pentagon’s strategy to counter peer adversaries’ rapid military buildup. The initiative will prioritize the fielding of attritable capabilities — affordable uncrewed platforms that allow commanders to tolerate a higher degree of risk in employing these “force multiplying” systems.
“Switchblade 600 is a battle-proven system in full-rate production that can support the DoD’s desire to field thousands of autonomous systems across multiple warfighting domains,” said AV’s SVP of Loitering Munition Systems, Brett Hush.

Equipped with advanced sensors and precision flight control, Switchblade 600 is capable of quick and easy deployment via tube launch and can fly, track and engage non-line of sight targets. Switchblade 600’s patented wave-off and recommit capability allows operators to abort the mission and re-engage as the mission requires.

“Our uncrewed systems, autonomy technology and computer vision software can help achieve multidomain operations in a heavily contested battlespace, at very low costs and high levels of resiliency,” continued Hush. “We have not only invested in the maturation of such disruptive technologies but also the production capability and capacity to produce large volumes at the level of reliability that the U.S. DoD expects.”

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AV Unveils New AI Capability and Autonomy Kit for Unmanned Systems

04/23/2024

AV Unveils New AI Capability and Autonomy Kit for Unmanned Systems

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.

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AV’s Switchblade 300 Selected for U.S. Marine Corps’ Organic Precision Fires-Light Program

04/18/2024

AV’s Switchblade 300 Selected for U.S. Marine Corps’ Organic Precision Fires-Light Program

The Switchblade 300 Block 20 system is battle-proven and production-ready to support Marine Infantry

ARLINGTON, Va., April 18, 2024 – AeroVironment (AV) was selected by the U.S. Marine Corps for the first phase of the Organic Precision Fires-Light (OPF-L) program of record. AV’s Switchblade 300 Block 20 loitering munition system (LMS) will provide the Marine Corps with organic, anti-armor/anti-personnel, precision fires capability at the tactical level. AV was awarded an initial order of $8.9M on a contract with a maximum potential value of $249M.

AV’s Switchblade 300 Block 20 supports the OPF-L program’s request for an individually operated, man-portable loitering munition with a lightweight, precision-guided capability against beyond- line-of-sight adversaries. Switchblade 300 will ensure that Marines are properly equipped and sustained with a lethal, reliable, organic capability for rapid target engagement while minimizing collateral damage and exposure to threat weapon systems.

“AV offers a battle-proven and production-ready system to support OPF-L to meet the Marine Corps’ requirements,” said AV’s Senior Vice President of LMS, Brett Hush. “Our mature and trusted manufacturing capability combined with world-class training and support will ensure Marine Infantry is adequately prepared for the fight.”

AV’s Switchblade 300 has been deployed in support of urgent operational needs to combat theaters since 2012. Switchblade 300 Block 20 is the next generation of the system that capitalizes on over a decade of user assessments, combat deployments, and lessons learned from the conflict in Ukraine, including operating in contested environment operations.

The Switchblade Block 20 system significantly expands on the currently fielded Switchblade 300 capabilities, including armor penetrating capability through an Explosively Formed Penetrator (EFP) warhead, increased target attack angle, and significantly greater battery life, flight endurance, and radio link range.

“With over 6,000 Switchblade loitering missiles tested, produced, and fielded, AV is in a unique position to offer revolutionary organic precision fire capabilities to the USMC, leveraging the proven reliability, producibility and supportability of current Switchblade programs,” continued Hush.

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AV Enters Teaming Agreement with Parry Labs to Develop Modular Next-Generation Long Range Reconnaissance UAS

04/15/2024

AV Enters Teaming Agreement with Parry Labs to Develop Modular Next-Generation Long Range Reconnaissance UAS

ARLINGTON, Va., April 15, 2024 – AeroVironment (AV) has entered into an exclusive teaming agreement with Parry Labs, a leader in Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA), to architect, develop, deliver and integrate digital engineering, software, and mission system hardware into AV’s upcoming P550 uncrewed aircraft system (UAS), purpose built for the U.S. Army’s Long Range Reconnaissance (LRR) program.

Parry Labs’ team of MOSA leaders and digital systems experts have created a foundational platform using an open and intelligent software stack, SWaP-C optimized hardware, and a digital engineering environment for collaborative build, test and integration. Designed with MOSA principles from inception, AV’s P550 UAS is perfectly aligned to adopt solutions from trusted partners such as Parry Labs to maximize warfighter capability and mission flexibility.

“Our customers rely on AV’s market-leading UAS to perform critical missions in challenging and hostile environments, while offering a verified and validated MOSA architecture from both software and hardware standpoints in order to eliminate vendor lock,” said AV’s Vice President of Engineering, Cris Sapera. “By teaming with Parry Labs, our valued P550 customers can expect a truly open system architecture that will have predefined Major System Components with validated open interfaces for quick, seamless replacement as needed.”

“We are excited to partner with AV to bring the benefits of MOSA to the enterprise,” said Parry Labs Chief Technology Officer, Dave Walsh. “Using an open systems approach on P550 provides the U.S. Army’s Uncrewed Aircraft Systems and Aviation offices reusable and portable infrastructure and capabilities, giving them the opportunity for fast and secure upgrades across programs and platforms.”

AV’s MOSA-enabled P550 UAS is purpose built for long range reconnaissance missions and features advanced AI and autonomy, maximum payload versatility, and rapid employment capabilities.

About Parry Labs, LLC
Parry Labs redefines the edge for the modern battlespace with digital systems integration that delivers rapid capability deployment and a decisive combat advantage. The company combines open software architecture and mission-proven hardware to create a common framework that’s integrated, agile and designed to deliver the most mission-critical technology at mission relevant speed across all services and domains. For more information, visit Parry Labs and follow us on LinkedIn.

 

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.

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AeroVironment
+1.703.418.2828
pr@avinc.com

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AV’s Puma 3 AE Now Offers Extended Endurance of Up To 3 Hours

02/14/2024

AV’s Puma 3 AE Now Offers Extended Endurance of Up To 3 Hours

ARLINGTON, Va., Feb. 14, 2024 – AeroVironment’s PS2500 battery is now approved for use in the Puma™ 3 AE unmanned aircraft system (UAS). The optional PS2500 battery allows operators to achieve extended endurance of up to three hours of flight time. The increased endurance provides operators with greater mission flexibility and time on station across land and maritime operations.

“The new PS2500 battery offers both new and current Puma customers the opportunity to dramatically expand the duration of their operations, enabling more ground covered in a single flight,” said Brad Truesdell, AeroVironment’s vice president and general manager of small UAS (SUAS). “Adding longer endurance capabilities to Puma’s existing flexible launch options and modularity makes it a truly unparalleled asset for various types of operations.”

Puma customers can now choose between the standard smart battery with two and a half hours of endurance, or the PS2500 battery with three hours of endurance. The high-energy-density lithium-ion PS2500 battery pack features an improved capacity of 24.5Ah (amp-hours) while retaining the size and form factor needed to be seamlessly integrated into Puma 3 AE’s existing battery bay and is also interoperable with Puma LE as a Line Replaceable Unit (LRU).

 

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AeroVironment’s Tomahawk Product Line Awarded $2.67 Million Contract by the Department of Defense for Grip Tab Active Controllers

02/08/2024

AeroVironment’s Tomahawk Product

ARLINGTON, Va., February 8, 2024 –  AeroVironment’s Tomahawk product line has been awarded a $2.67 million contract from Advanced Technology International (ATI) that will be managed by the U.S. Marine Corps Warfighting Lab (MCWL). This contract supports the Marine Corps’ Force Design 2030 and other Department of Defense (DoD) initiatives of enhancing lethality and mission success across the warfighting functions.

Under the contract, AeroVironment will deliver prototype Tomahawk Grip Tab Active (Grip TA) controllers and supporting test kits, allowing the DoD to evaluate the technical capabilities for future operations. RAID System, provides a large screen and ensures current and future cyber, safety, and fire control requirements are met.

The Tomahawk Grip TA controllers will be part of the larger Kinesis Ecosystem that already includes 20+ robotic systems, various input devices, and numerous AI-enhanced capabilities. This ecosystem uniquely enables multi-domain, many-to-many UxV operation through a single user interface, all while reducing the physical and cognitive burdens placed on the operator.

“AeroVironment is excited to deliver these systems to the DoD,” said Scott Bowman, Tomahawk Robotics product line manager at AeroVironment. “The tablet-based Grip Tab Active Controller will provide a larger viewing area and dedicated safety functions to operate large vehicles and weapon systems, all while maintaining the low-profile, ruggedized design our customers have come to expect from the Tomahawk product line. This controller will improve operator efficiency and unlock new use cases such as fire control and sensor-to-shooter.”

This contract extends the ongoing work between the Tomahawk Robotics product line and the DoD to provide a common controller for the DoD’s tactical robotic systems.

About Tomahawk Robotics

Tomahawk Robotics is the visionary force behind the groundbreaking Kinesis Ecosystem, an unmatched tactical capability designed for the warfighter first. At the heart of this innovation lies Kinesis, an AI-enhanced and open architecture common control system that seamlessly integrates the network of battle-proven UxVs, sensors, and third-party software onto a single glass pane. Powered by innovation, the Kinesis Ecosystem delivers targeted situational awareness and precision strike capabilities for the human-machine team across the battlespace.

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AeroVironment Announces First Successful Multi-Drop, Live Fire GPS-Guided Shryke Munitions from a VAPOR 55 MX Unmanned Aircraft System

01/09/2024

AeroVironment Announces First Successful Multi-Drop, Live Fire GPS-Guided Shryke Munitions from a VAPOR 55 MX Unmanned Aircraft System

ARLINGTON, Va., January 09, 2024 –  AeroVironment, Inc. announced today the first successful multi-drop, live fire GPS-guided Shryke munitions from the VAPOR® 55 MX, all-electric unmanned aircraft system in collaboration with Corvid and L3Harris Technologies. The VAPOR 55 MX carried four rounds simultaneously and flawlessly showcased the live fire effects of this capability.  The integration of Shryke munitions on the VAPOR 55 MX allows for multiple targets to be designated in one single flight. “Shryke’s size and weight make it the ideal choice for the weaponized VAPOR 55 MX.  The lethality of a 40mm anti-armor modular warhead paired with a lightweight glider provides a highly effective, low-collateral damage solution to the front lines,” said Kyle Bowen, Corvid’s Shryke business development director.

Shryke, developed by Corvid Technologies and L3Harris Technologies, is known for its versatile, multi-mission precision strike capability, meeting the requirement to stay within 1-2 meters of the designated target. Equipped with a MIL-STD-1316 Electronic Safe and Arm Device (ESAD), L3Harris’ integrator guarantees safety-critical initiation-on-command for energetic systems and facilitates the secure post-flight recovery of remaining installed munitions.  “Collaborating with our partners to develop the multi-drop Shryke payload to integrate seamlessly with the Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) design of the VAPOR 55 MX gives us a real market advantage.  Quick integration for the warfighter continues to be our top priority,” said Jason Wright, AeroVironment’s senior product line manager.

The open software and hardware architecture provides added versatility to the VAPOR 55 MX and continues to allow customers to integrate third-party payloads of their choice without being impacted by excessive non-recurring engineering costs and schedule delays.

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Church Hutton Joins AeroVironment as Head of Government Relations

12/11/2023

Church HuttonARLINGTON, Va., Dec 11, 2023 – AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) today announced Paul “Church” Hutton has joined as Vice President, Government Relations. Reporting to CEO Wahid Nawabi, Mr. Hutton will strengthen the company’s strategic engagement with the Department of Defense (DoD) and Congress.

“As a highly accomplished and respected government affairs leader with decades of experience in national security, Church is ideally suited to develop and implement our government relations strategy,” said Wahid Nawabi, AeroVironment’s chairman, president, and chief executive officer. “Given his extensive knowledge of defense policy and the legislative process, we are confident he will give our innovative and battle-tested portfolio the visibility and support it deserves during this critical time.”

“I’m pleased to join AeroVironment at a critical moment for national security,” added Mr. Hutton. “Our continued strategic advantage over adversaries depends on government and industry delivering capability faster and more affordably. As the leader in fielded autonomous and attritable systems, AeroVironment is helping DoD offset strategic competitors today, but this phase of the race has only begun.”

Mr. Hutton comes to AeroVironment from Mercury Systems where he led all aspects of the company’s government relations program. Before that, he ran legislative affairs for Sierra Nevada Corporation and was head of Washington operations for a venture-backed start up. A retired Army officer and combat veteran, Mr. Hutton spent a decade in senior staff positions on Capitol Hill including on the professional staff of the Senate Appropriations and Senate Armed Services Committees and in the offices of Senators John McCain and Joe Manchin. He holds degrees from Johns Hopkins University and George Mason University.

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Retired Army General Joseph Votel Joins AeroVironment’s Board of Directors

12/04/2023

General Joseph VotelARLINGTON, Va.– Dec. 04, 2023 – AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) today announced that General Joseph L. Votel recently joined its Board of Directors, following his appointment as a Class III director at a meeting of AeroVironment’s Board on November 29. The addition of General Votel brings the Board’s current composition to eight individuals, seven of whom (including Votel) are independent.

“As a highly accomplished and respected military commander with responsibilities leading special operations and coalition forces in the Middle East and Asia, General Votel adds vital perspectives to our Board at this critical inflection point in our company’s history,” said Wahid Nawabi, AeroVironment’s chairman, president, and chief executive officer. “Given his four decades of military service, most recently leading U.S. Central Command, his guidance and strategic counsel will be vital to meeting the needs of our nation and allies around the globe.”

“I am excited to join AeroVironment’s Board at this critical time, especially given the importance and relevance of AV’s unique offerings to the current needs of our military and allies,” added General Votel. “I look forward to doing my part to keep this great company at the cutting edge of military capabilities in the years ahead.”

General Votel retired from the U.S. Army in 2019, following a highly distinguished 39-year military career which culminated in his appointment as a four-star General and Commander of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) where he led a 79-member coalition that liberated Iraq and Syria from the Islamic State. Prior to his assignment at CENTCOM, he served as Commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) and the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC). Following his retirement from military service, General Votel served as President & CEO of Business Executives for National Security (BENS), remains a member of the Defense Business Board and Council on Foreign Relations, and has advised multiple companies and venture funds.

General Votel graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1980 and earned master’s degrees from the U.S. Army Command and Staff College and the Army War College. He was recognized with numerous awards including the Distinguished Military Leadership Award from the Atlantic Council, the U.S.-Arab Defense Leadership Award from the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations, and the Patriot Award from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.

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