AeroVironment, Inc. has received two firm-fixed-price orders from the United States Air Force for Puma 3 AE Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and spares packages, and Raven UAS spares packages. The order is valued at more than $15.9 million.
The Puma 3 AE systems and spares were delivered in April 2021, and delivery of the Raven spares is anticipated by November 2021.
“The combat-proven Puma 3 AE and Raven are versatile, rugged and reliable tactical UAS designed to provide the U.S. Air Force Security Forces with the enhanced situational awareness and mission effectiveness they require when safeguarding bases,” said Trace Stevenson, AeroVironment vice president and product line general manager for small UAS.
The Puma 3 AE UAS is designed for land-based and maritime operations, with the ability to land in water or on land. The Puma 3 AE and Mantis i45 EO/IR sensor suite enable extended flight time and the highest level of imaging capability.
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 has a range of 20 kilometers with a standard antenna, and up to 60 kilometers with AeroVironment’s Long-Range Tracking Antenna (LRTA). It also features reduced system packaging with a flyable configuration and Ground Control System (GCS) in one case.
AeroVironment’s Raven is a lightweight, low-altitude, remote-controlled UAS designed for rapid deployment and high mobility for operations requiring low-altitude intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
With a wingspan of 4.5 feet and weighing 4.2 pounds, the hand-launched Raven provides situational awareness, day or night, with an operational range of 10 kilometers. The Raven’s Mantis i23 EO/IR gimbaled payload delivers real-time video or infrared imagery to ground control and remote viewing stations.
Both Raven and Puma 3 AE UAS can be operated using Crysalis, AeroVironment’s next-generation ground control solution for command and control. Crysalis improves battlefield communication and collaboration by enabling users to easily share real-time information and coordinate mission-critical decisions.
AeroVironment has delivered tens of thousands of new and replacement UAS to customers within the U.S. and to more than 50 allied governments.
