Release Details

• Tether Eye developed with funding from CTTSO
• Tether Eye can be deployed from fixed locations or mobile platforms
• Delivers 24-hour continuous ISR at heights up to 150 feet above launch point

TAMPA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- At Special Operations Forces Industry Conference - AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV), a world leader in unmanned aircraft systems, today announced the United States Combating Terrorism Technical Support Office (CTTSO) is evaluating the company's new tethered unmanned aircraft system, named Tether Eye™, for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) and security applications. The CTTSO funded the development program under a US government contract.

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The AeroVironment Tether Eye unmanned aircraft system is designed to provide continuous, 24-hours-a-day surveillance at up to 150 feet above its launch point. Tether Eye deploys automatically from a small, weather-sealed, self-contained base station and ascends to a pre-determined hover altitude from where viewers of its video feed take advantage of its 360-degree field of view. The specially designed and ruggedized tether connecting Tether Eye to its base station provides continuous power, which, combined with AeroVironment's track record of proven reliability, enables uninterrupted long-term operation.

"Having the ability to deploy a ‘virtual observation tower' at a moment's notice above buildings and vehicles represents a game-changing capability for ISR and security operations that has the potential to save lives," said Amanda Toman, Program Manager at the CTTSO. "We look forward to continuing our evaluation of Tether Eye's capabilities with AeroVironment as a possible deployable capability across government facilities."

Current Tether Eye payloads include electro-optical (EO) and infrared (IR) cameras and AeroVironment's encrypted Digital Data Link (DDL). The EO/IR camera provides both day and night imagery with full motion video transmitted directly to a Ground Control Station (GCS) that operates each platform within AeroVironment's market-leading family of small UAS and Tactical Missile Systems. The Digital Data Link, integrated into each of AeroVironment's platforms, provides secure communication with the unmanned aircraft system and communications relay with other platforms.

"Tether Eye effectively complements our family of small unmanned aircraft systems by providing a valuable new capability - continuous ISR and security for buildings or stationary vehicles in defense, security and commercial applications," said Kirk Flittie, AeroVironment vice president and general manager of its Unmanned Aircraft Systems business segment. "We intend to continue developing Tether Eye through to production and include it as a standard component of our product portfolio. Close communication with our initial customers will guide and inform future enhancements and production releases, resulting in another effective AeroVironment solution that helps our customers succeed."

About AeroVironment Small UAS

RQ-11B Raven®, RQ-12 Wasp®, RQ-20A Puma™ and Switchblade™ comprise AeroVironment's Family of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems. Operating with a common ground control system (GCS), this Family of Systems provides increased capability to the warfighter that can give ground commanders the option of selecting the appropriate aircraft based on the type of mission to be performed. This increased capability has the potential to provide significant force protection and force multiplication benefits to small tactical units and security personnel. AeroVironment provides logistics services worldwide to ensure a consistently high level of operational readiness and provides mission services for customers requiring only the information its small UAS produce. AeroVironment has delivered thousands of new and replacement small unmanned air vehicles to customers within the United States and to more than 30 international governments.

About AeroVironment

AeroVironment is a technology solutions provider that designs, develops, produces, supports and operates an advanced portfolio of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and electric transportation solutions. The company's electric-powered, hand-launched unmanned aircraft systems generate and process data to deliver powerful insight, on demand, to people and enterprises engaged in military, public safety and commercial activities around the world. More information about AeroVironment is available at www.avinc.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are made on the basis of current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors outside of our control, that may cause our business, strategy or actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, our ability to perform under existing contracts and obtain additional contracts; our reliance on sales to the U.S. government; changes in the timing and/or amount of government spending; changes in the supply and/or demand and/or prices for our products and services; changes in the regulatory environment; the activities of competitors; failure of the markets in which we operate to grow; failure to expand into new markets; failure to develop new products or integrate new technology with current products; and general economic and business conditions in the United States and elsewhere in the world. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see the reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on 10-Q. We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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AeroVironment, Inc.
Steven Gitlin
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or
For AeroVironment, Inc.
Mark Boyer
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Source: AeroVironment, Inc.

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