AeroVironment wins $4.9 million U.S. Army contract to provide Switchblade agile munition operational systems, engineering services

Posted by Courtney E. HowardMONROVIA, Calif., 2 Sept. 2011. AeroVironment Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV) won a $4,907,840 contract from the U.S. Army Close Combat Weapons Systems (CCWS), Program Executive Office Missiles and Space (PEO MS) to supply Switchblade agile munition engineering services and operational systems for U.S. Army deployment. The award should enable rapid fielding of the capability to deployed combat forces. The prototype Switchblade system has undergone years of development, testing, demonstration, and customer evaluation; gained Safety Confirmation; and underwent Military Utility Assessment with the U.S. Army. The Switchblade air vehicle, which launches from a small tube able to be carried in a backpack, wirelessly transmits live color video for display on AeroVironment’s small unmanned aircraft system (UAS) ground control unit. The operator uses the Switchblade to confirm the target via the live video feed and sends a command to the air vehicle to arm itself and lock its trajectory onto the target. Designed to fly quietly at high speeds, the Switchblade delivers an onboard explosive payload. Operators can call off a strike even after the air vehicle is armed, providing a unique level of control.“The unique capabilities provided by the Switchblade agile munition for standoff engagement, accuracy, and controlled effects make it an ideal weapon for today’s fight and for U.S. military forces of the future,” says Bill Nichols, deputy product director at the Army’s Close Combat Weapons Systems project office.“Just as our small unmanned aircraft systems provide game-changing reconnaissance capabilities to ground forces, Switchblade provides a revolutionary rapid strike capability to protect our troops and give them a valuable new advantage on the battlefield,” notes Tom Herring, AeroVironment senior vice president and general manager of unmanned aircraft systems.