AeroVironment Wins $874M US Army Contract to Expand Global Drone Sales
The US Army has awarded AeroVironment an $874-million contract to support foreign military sales of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and counter-drone technology.
The five-year deal allows allied and partner forces to buy Groups 1 to 3 drones and anti-UAS systems through Program Executive Office Aviation, along with training services, spares, and logistics support.
Offerings according to the Pentagon’s classification include aircraft with up to 1,230 pounds (558 kilograms) of maximum takeoff weight, speeds up to 250 knots (463 kilometers/288 miles per hour), and a service ceiling of up to 18,000 feet (5,486 meters).
Justin McFarlin, vice president of international business development at AeroVironment, said the company is “delivering innovative defense technologies to meet our national security priorities,” adding that the systems are “battle-proven and trusted” and will help partners counter evolving threats.
Solutions for Sale
The contract covers several of AeroVironment’s flagship platforms, such as the JUMP 20 vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) fixed-wing aircraft, which provides intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance with more than 13 hours of endurance.
It also includes the P550, an electric VTOL system, which offers rapid field setup, payload swapping, and target and strike options with up to five hours of battery-powered flight, as well as the Puma, designed for land and maritime missions, which supports day and night operations with third-party modular payloads.
Users can also order the Raven, described by the company as its most widely used small UAS, which is hand-launched and provides real-time video streaming or infrared imagery at low altitude, and the Titan counter-UAS system, which employs radio frequency detection and can be dispatched for fixed or mobile missions.
“AV’s platforms are deployed around the world, supporting the most important missions for our national security and the protection of our allies,” said Jason Hendrix, small uncrewed systems vice president for AeroVironment.
“We’re continually looping frontline feedback into our platforms and scaling production to meet the mission, ensuring that our warfighters have the tools and technologies they need to stay ahead of evolving threats.”
