AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) today announced the United States Air Force awarded the company a $13 million indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (ID/IQ) contract on Sept. 30, 2018 for RQ-11B Raven® small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to support Latin American and Caribbean nations. United States Government fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance funds of $2,800,000 were committed at the time of the award. The work is expected to be completed by Sept. 28, 2023.
The Raven hand-launched small UAS, the most prolific military drone in the world, will be deployed in the U.S. Southern Command Area of Responsibility, which includes Central America, South America and the Caribbean.
“Raven revolutionized the battlefield with instant eyes in the sky and force protection for small tactical units 15 years ago and its enhanced capabilities continue to protect U.S. and allied armed forces throughout the world,” said Kirk Flittie, vice president and general manager of AeroVironment’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems business. “From the snow-capped peaks of Afghanistan to the dense jungles and rugged mountains of Latin America, Raven and AeroVironment’s family of small surveillance drones, including Puma AE and Wasp AE, are giving U.S. and allied troops unmatched advantages to advance safely through dangerous terrain.”
About AeroVironment Small UAS
RQ-11B Raven®, RQ-12 Wasp® and RQ-20A/B Puma™ comprise AeroVironment’s Family of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems. Operating with a common ground control system (GCS), this Family of Systems provides increased capability to the warfighter that can give ground commanders the option of selecting the appropriate aircraft based on the type of mission to be performed. This increased capability has the potential to provide significant force protection and force multiplication benefits to small tactical units and security personnel. AeroVironment provides logistics services worldwide to ensure a consistently high level of operational readiness and provides mission services for customers requiring only the information its small UAS produce. AeroVironment has delivered thousands of new and replacement small unmanned air vehicles to customers within the United States and to more than 45 allied governments.
About AeroVironment, Inc.
AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV) provides customers with more actionable intelligence so they can proceed with certainty. Based in California, AeroVironment is a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems and tactical missile systems, and serves defense, government and commercial customers. For more information visit www.avinc.com.
