AeroVironment Receives $16.4 Million Order from U.S. Army for Raven Logistics Support
MONROVIA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 5, 2007--AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ: AVAV), a leader in unmanned aircraft systems and efficient electric energy systems, today announced that the U.S. Army has ordered $16.4 million in contract logistics services (CLS) in support of its Raven small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). These logistics services are to include refurbishment, reconstitution and repair work, as well as the migration of systems to the latest configuration during the completion of refurbishment.
According to the Army's news release through the Federal Business Opportunities website, "Refurbishment is required because of extraordinary system usage and environmental conditions encountered in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)."
"This order reflects the Army's desire to have the latest, most capable small UAS in service supporting troops on the ground," said John Grabowsky, AV's executive vice president and general manager of unmanned aircraft systems. "The latest configuration of AV's Raven enables tactical units to operate even more effectively and efficiently, ultimately helping to save lives."
As the small UAS of choice for the U.S. Army, Special Operations Command and Marine Corps, the Raven exemplifies a true joint program with multiple services procuring it through a common contracting vehicle. AV has produced more than 6,000 small and micro UAS, including Raven, Dragon Eye, Puma and Wasp, and the U.S. Army alone has flown AV's Ravens for tens of thousands of hours in support of combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
About Raven
AV's Raven is a 4.2-pound, backpackable, hand-launched sensor platform that 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 use Ravens extensively in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. In addition to Raven, AV's small UAS include Puma and Wasp, which are hand-launched and controlled by a hand-held, common ground control station, and Dragon Eye, a hand-launched UAS operated with a different ground control station. AV's UAS logistics operation supports systems deployed worldwide to ensure a consistently high level of operational availability.
About AeroVironment, Inc.
Building on a history of technological innovation, AV designs, develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and efficient electric energy systems. The company's small UAS are used extensively by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and increasingly by allied military forces to deliver real-time reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition to tactical operating units. AV's PosiCharge fast charge systems eliminate battery changing for electric industrial vehicles in factories, airports, and distribution centers. For more information about AV, please visit www.avinc.com.
CONTACT: AeroVironment, Inc.
Steven Gitlin
+1 (626) 357-9983
pr@avinc.com
or
Mark Boyer
For AeroVironment, Inc.
+1 (310) 455-7812
mark@boyersyn.com
SOURCE: AeroVironment, Inc.