AeroVironment wins US$4 million UAS deal for US ally

AeroVironment announced it has received a US$4 million firm-fixed-price U.S. Department of Defense Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contract award to provide Puma 3 AE and Wasp AE small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), initial spares packages, training and support to an allied nation. Delivery is anticipated by September 2022. U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Don Gull, with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment launches the RQ-20B Puma fixed wing unmanned aerial system. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Timothy J. Lutz) “Allied forces around the world continue to adopt and deploy AeroVironment’s battle-proven small unmanned aircraft systems in order to increase the mission effectiveness and safety of their frontline forces,” said Trace Stevenson, AeroVironment vice president and product line general manager for small UAS. AeroVironment’s Puma 3 AE unmanned aircraft system is designed for land and maritime operations. The hand-launched Puma 3 AE has a wingspan of 9.2 feet, weighs 15 pounds and can operate for up to 2.5 hours. The aircraft also has a range of 12.4 miles (20 kilometres) with a standard range antenna, up to 24.9 miles (40 kilometres) with AeroVironment’s Extended Range Antenna (ERA) and up to 37.2 miles (60 kilometres) with AeroVironment’s Long-Range Tracking Attenda (LRTA). It also features reduced system packaging with a flyable configuration and Ground Control System (GCS) in one case. Capable of landing in water or on land, the all-environment Puma 3 AE and Mantis i45 EO/IR sensor suite empower operators with extended flight time and a level of imaging capability never before available in the small UAS class. Wasp AE is a lightweight, man-packable UAS that weighs just over a kilogram and delivers best-in-class capabilities for an unmanned aircraft system of its size, including stealthy manoeuvrability, superior imagery, encrypted video and exceptional ease of use. Wasp’s gimballed payload is mechanically stabilised, enabling it to transmit advanced imagery in high-wind conditions, while its advanced avionics allow operators the option of manual or autonomous navigation. AeroVironment’s small UAS comprises the majority of all unmanned aircraft in the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) inventory, and its rapidly growing international customer base numbers more than 50 allied governments. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Director of Sales Graham Joss at [email protected]