AeroVironment wins $35.3 million order for digital Puma unmanned aircraft systems

Posted by Courtney E. Howard

MONROVIA, Calif., 1 Sept. 2010. AeroVironment Inc. (AV) won a contract delivery order valued at $35,265,662 for digital Puma All Environment (AE) unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), spares, and training services. The equipment and services were procured under the existing USSOCOM All Environment Capable Variant (AECV) indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract. Puma systems, which are capable of performing multiple surveillance and reconnaissance missions over water or land, will be used to protect troops and vehicles in combat areas.

Work is scheduled to be performed within a period of several months.

"The battle-proven Puma system will now play an important new role helping troops operate more effectively and safely as they travel through dangerous territory,” says Tom Herring, senior vice president and general manager of AV’s UAS segment. “The Puma system is a portable, hand-launched UAS that will enhance soldier capabilities by producing aerial high quality color and infrared video of the surrounding area.”

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, is designed for enhanced survivability in land and maritime environments, and can operate effectively in foul weather and over rugged terrain. Its quiet operation, stabilized imagery, and precision landing capability make Puma systems easy to operate and recover, says a company spokesperson. The Puma air vehicle weighs 13 pounds, is battery powered, and has a flight endurance of two hours.