AeroVironment gains $8.4 million order for Digital Raven unmanned aircraft systems

MONROVIA, Calif., 25 May 2011. AeroVironment Inc. has received an $8.3 million order as part of a follow-on contract with the U.S. Army for new digital Raven small unmanned aircraft systems (SUAS) and initial spares packages. Aerovironment’s Raven unmanned aircraft is a 4.2-pound, backpackable, hand-launched sensor platform. It provides day and night, real-time video imagery for "over the hill" and "around the corner" reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition in support of tactical units. U.S. armed forces currently use Raven systems for various missions, including base security, route reconnaissance, mission planning, and force protection. For example, the Army’s Second Heavy Brigade Combat Team (2HBCT), “The Spartan Brigade,” employed the Raven system to reduce enemy attacks on U.S. forces. Each Raven system typically consists of three aircraft, two ground control stations, and spares.