News & Events | UAS UAV Battlefield Drones

United States Marine Corps Awards AeroVironment $19.3 Million BATMAV Contract for Wasp III Micro Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)

November 20, 2007 (Press Releases)

MONROVIA, Calif., Nov. 20, 2007 -- AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ: AVAV), a leader in unmanned aircraft systems and efficient electric energy systems, today announced that the U.S. Marine Corps has ordered $19.3 million in BATMAV (Battlefield Air Targeting Micro Air Vehicle) systems, each consisting of two Wasp III micro air vehicles, AV's Advanced Battery Charger, spares and support services. The order followed a successful Marine Corps evaluation of Wasp systems provided by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA. View More

Small Unmanned Air Vehicle Achieves Record Flight Time Using Hybrid Fuel Cell/Battery Energy Storage System

October 31, 2007 (Press Releases)

AFRL engineers, in conjunction with Small Business Innovation Research partners AeroVironment (AV), Protonex Technology (PTX) Corporation, and Millennium Cell (MCEL), successfully flight-demonstrated Puma, AV's hand-launched small unmanned air vehicle (SUAV) that gets its power from a hybrid fuel cell/battery energy storage system. Puma flew for 7+ continuous hours on power supplied by PTX Corporation's PTX.L fuel cell system. The hybridized proton exchange membrane fuel cell employs a lithium ion battery to provide peak power during takeoff and dash maneuvers; the fuel cell recharges the battery and provides continuous steady-state power for the plane and payload during cruise flight. MCEL provided a fuel cartridge of sodium borohydride (chemical hydride), which provided the fuel necessary for the fuel cell system's 7-hour, 3-minute flight. View More

AeroVironment Awarded Contract for Development of Global Observer Stratospheric Unmanned Aircraft System

September 26, 2007 (Press Releases)

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. View More

Danish Army Chooses AeroVironment's Raven Small Unmanned Aircraft System

September 11, 2007 (Press Releases)

MONROVIA, Calif., Sept. 11, 2007 -- AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ: AVAV), a leader in unmanned aircraft systems and efficient electric energy systems, today announced that it has received an order to supply the Danish Army Operational Command with RQ 11 B, Raven B small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). The order includes 12 systems, logistics support and training services, for a total value of $2.4 million. Each Raven B system typically consists of three aircraft, a hand-held ground control station, a remote viewing terminal, systems spares, and related services. View More

Dr. Paul MacCready, Founder and Former Chairman of AeroVironment, Dies at 81

August 29, 2007 (Press Releases)

MONROVIA, Calif., August 29, 2007 - Dr. Paul MacCready, internationally renowned innovator and entrepreneur, founder and former chairman of the board of directors of AeroVironment, Inc., passed away in his sleep on Tuesday, August 28. Dr. MacCready had recently been diagnosed with a serious ailment. His passing occurred less than one week after the 30th anniversary of one of his most notable accomplishments, the record-setting flight of his human powered airplane, the Gossamer Condor. View More

U.S. Air Force Takes Delivery of BATMAV Micro Unmanned Aircraft Systems from AeroVironment

August 06, 2007 (Press Releases)

WASHINGTON, At AUVSI North America, Aug. 6, 2007 - AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ: AVAV), a leader in unmanned aircraft systems and efficient electric energy systems, today announced that the U.S. Air Force has recently taken delivery of its initial BATMAV micro unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), which include the Wasp III air vehicle, as planned under the Air Force Beyond Line of Site (BLOS) program. AV received the BATMAV, or Battlefield Air Tactical Micro Air Vehicle, award in December 2006 after competing against a number of candidate systems. AV recently received orders for 30 systems through the program's indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract which provides for purchases of up to $45 million over a period of five years. View More

Rear Admiral Daniel H. Stone Joins AeroVironment as Vice President of Its Unmanned Aircraft Systems Logistics Operation

July 25, 2007 (Press Releases)

MONROVIA, CA., July 25, 2007 -- AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ: AVAV), a leader in unmanned aircraft systems and efficient energy systems, today announced that U.S. Navy Rear Admiral, Daniel H. Stone, has joined the company as vice president of its Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) logisitics operation. AV's logistics operation supports all of the company's globally deployed small UAS, including Raven, Dragon Eye, Wasp and Puma. View More

Dr. Paul MacCready to Conduct Special Session at Aviation Industry Week

March 04, 2004 (Press Releases)

Las Vegas, NV (March 4, 2004) - Aviation Industry Week, the premier event for the business of aviation, announced today that Dr. Paul B. MacCready will speak at the upcoming show, to be held May 18-20, 2004, in Las Vegas, NV. Dr. MacCready is the founder and chairman of AeroVironment, Inc. He has been pioneering the use of alternate energy sources in aviation for over 50 years, developing vehicles and devices for both military and commercial use that strike a balance between nature and technology. View More

War on Terrorism Boosts Deployment of Mini-UAVs As featured in “Aviation Week & Space Technology”

July 09, 2002 (Press Releases)

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. View More

AeroVironment in the Smithsonian

January 01, 2000 (Press Releases)

AeroVironment generates creative engineering solutions that emphasize efficiency, performance, and alternative energy. In our history, AV has developed a number of remarkable vehicles for land, sea and air - five of which have been acquired by the Smithsonian Museum, a distinction unmatched by any other firm AeroVironment's size. View More

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