The US Army has selected AeroVironment for an $874-million contract that will support foreign military sales involving unmanned aerial systems and counter-drone technologies. The agreement, valid for five years, enables allied and partner nations to purchase Groups 1 to 3 UAS, along with logistics services, training support, and system sustainment through Program Executive Office Aviation.
The Pentagon’s classification for these systems covers aircraft with maximum takeoff weights of up to 1,230 pounds, speeds reaching 250 knots, and operational ceilings of up to 18,000 feet. The contract includes several of AeroVironment’s major UAS platforms, including the JUMP 20 vertical takeoff fixed-wing aircraft, capable of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions with endurance exceeding 13 hours.
Also included is the P550 electric VTOL drone, designed for rapid deployment, modular payload changes, and strike missions with up to five hours of battery-driven endurance. The well-known Puma system also forms part of the package, offering day-night maritime and land operations with integrated ISR payloads.
Customers can additionally acquire the Raven hand-launched drone, which delivers infrared or real-time video at low altitude, and the Titan counter-UAS system, designed for mobile or fixed missions using radio-frequency detection to defeat hostile drones.
