MONROVIA, Calif., 9 Feb. 2007. AeroVironment Inc. (AV), maker of unmanned aircraft systems and efficient electric energy systems, has completed sea trials of its Aqua Puma unmanned aircraft system (UAS) for the Royal Australian Navy to explore adding a UAS capability to the Navy's new Armidale class patrol boats.

AV's Aqua Puma is launched by hand, lands directly onto the sea surface, and is recovered by hand from vessels.

"Adding the Aqua Puma to the Armidales will require no ship modifications and will add significant day and night reconnaissance and surveillance capability," says Ilker "Ike" Bayraktar, vice president of international business development for AV. "Continued expansion into foreign markets is a key objective of the company. Successful trials such as these with the Royal Australian Navy are early but important steps toward the realization of that strategy."

The company selected XTEK Ltd. as its representative for small UAS sales and logistics support in Australia, New Zealand, and surrounding nations.

AV and XTEK are currently providing product and customer support to the Australian Department of Defence, which has been using AV's RQ-11 Raven UAS since 2005. The Raven UAS provides dismounted troops with organic Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition (RSTA) capability in day and night operations.