AeroVironment to upgrade and enhance RF and microwave in Raven unmanned aircraft flight control system
SIMI VALLEY, Calif. – AeroVironment Inc. in Simi Valley, Calif., will upgrade the company's RQ-11 Raven unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with modified RF and microwave communications systems under terms of a potential $55 million U.S. contract, company officials reported.
The Army awarded the company a firm-fixed-price contract on June 6, 2019 to begin radio frequency modifications to enhance the capabilities of currently deployed Raven UAVs. The initial order is for $862,488, with potential options worth as much as $55 million.
AeroVironment will upgrade RF and microwave components related to the Raven's flight-control systems, company officials say. The Army selected AeroVironment as the sole-source supplier for RQ-20A Puma and RQ-11B spares and flight-control system.
AeroVironment won the job as part of the Army's $248.5 million five-year small UAS sustainment contract announced in April 2018. AeroVironment and six other companies were selected for work in six UAV domains: systems, tactical open government owned architecture, other major components, RQ-20A puma spares, and RQ-11B Raven spares and flight control systems.
AeroVironment's Raven system is designed for rapid deployment and high mobility for applications that require low-altitude intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
The hand-launched Raven has a wingspan of 4.5 feet and weighs 4.2 pounds. It provides aerial observation, day or night, at line-of-sight ranges as far as 6.2 miles.
With its stabilized gimbaled sensor payload, the Raven delivers real-time color or infrared imagery to ground control and remote viewing stations.
For more information contact AeroVironment online at www.avinc.com.