AeroVironment has received an additional $20.2-million US government investment to expand production of its Freedom Eagle-1 kinetic counter-drone interceptor missile. The funding will support a major facility expansion in Huntsville, Alabama, helping accelerate low-rate and future full-rate production for US Army counter-UAS programs. Designed as a relatively affordable interceptor, the FE-1 is capable of defeating larger Group 2 and Group 3 drones while also engaging smaller aerial threats. The missile progressed rapidly from concept to first flight in just over 100 days and has already completed propulsion, warhead, and launch testing milestones.
