AeroVironment wins $7.3 million order to deliver unmanned aircraft system support services for Puma UAV

MONROVIA, Calif., 21 Oct. 2011. AeroVironment Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV) won a $7.3 million cost-plus-fixed-fee contract from the U.S. Army to provide digital Puma All Environment (AE) unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) contractor logistics support services. The services, scheduled to be provided over the next 12 months, supports a Joint Urgent Operational Need Statement.

U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) selected the Puma UAS for the All Environment Capable Variant (AECV) program.

Each Puma system consists of three air vehicles and two ground control systems. The air vehicle carries an integrated electro-optical and infrared gimbaled video camera. The UAS is designed for enhanced survivability in land and maritime environments, can operate in foul weather and over rugged terrain, and boasts quiet operation, stabilized imagery, and precision landing capability, says a company representative. The Puma air vehicle weighs 13 pounds, is battery powered, and has a flight endurance of two hours.