AeroVironment, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)
4. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
On May 19, 2005, the Company implemented a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP),
which is a non-qualified executive benefit plan in which the Company agreed to pay the Chairman of
the Board (Chairman) additional benefits at retirement. The SERP is an unfunded plan, which means
that there are no specific assets set aside by the Company. The Chairman had no rights under the
agreement beyond those of a general creditor of the Company. During the year ended April 30, 2006,
the Company recognized approximately $2,209,000 of selling, general and administrative expense charged to operations and recorded such
expense as a long-term liability in connection with this plan. The SERP was fully vested on May 19,
2006, the first anniversary of the Chairmans participation. Pursuant to the terms of the
agreement, upon the completion of the Companys initial public offering of equity securities, all
benefits to be paid under the SERP were forfeited. Accordingly, the long-term liability of
$2,209,000 was reversed in January 2007.
5. Equity
On January 26, 2007, the Company completed its initial public offering, consisting of 5,252,285
shares of common stock. As part of the offering, an additional 2,452,715 shares were sold by
selling stockholders. A total of 7,705,000 shares were sold at a public offering price of $17.00,
resulting in net proceeds to the Company of approximately $80.5 million, after deducting payment of
underwriters discounts and commissions and offering expenses.
In connection with the initial public offering, the Company reincorporated in Delaware, effective
on December 6, 2006, and effected a 7.0378-to-one stock split on January 18, 2007. All share and
per share data, including prior period data as appropriate, have been adjusted to reflect this
split.
6. Stock-Based Compensation
The Company adopted SFAS 123R effective May 1, 2006. Because the Company historically used the
minimum value method of measuring stock options, implementation of SFAS 123R applies prospectively
to new awards after adoption. No expense is recognized for options granted prior to adoption. For
the three and nine months ended January 27, 2007, the Company recorded stock-based compensation
expense for options that vested of approximately $24,000 and $32,000, respectively.
On January 14, 2007, the stockholders of the Company approved the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (the
2006 Plan), effective January 21, 2007, for officers, directors, key employees and consultants.
Under the 2006 Plan, incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, restricted stock awards,
stock appreciation right awards, performance share awards, performance stock unit awards, dividend
equivalents awards, stock payment awards, deferred stock awards, restricted stock unit awards,
other stock-based awards, performance bonus awards or performance-based awards may be granted at
the discretion of a committee, which consists of outside directors. A maximum of 3,684,157 shares
of stock may be issued pursuant to awards under the 2006 Plan. The maximum number of shares of
common stock with respect to one or more awards that may be granted to any one participant during
any twelve month period is 950,000. A maximum of $9,500,000 may be paid in cash as a
performance-based award. The exercise price for any incentive stock option shall not be less than
100% of the fair market value on the date of grant. At January 27, 2007, no awards had been issued
under the 2006 Plan. Vesting of awards is established at the time of grant.
The Company had an equity incentive plan (the 2002 Plan) for officers, directors and key
employees. Under the 2002 Plan, incentive stock options or nonqualified stock options were granted,
as determined by the administrator at the time of grant. Stock purchase rights were also granted
under the 2002 Plan. Options under the 2002 Plan were granted at their fair market value (as
determined by the board of directors). The options become exercisable at various times over a
five-year period from the grant date. The 2002 Plan was terminated on the effective date of the
2006 Plan. Awards outstanding under the 2002 Plan remain outstanding and exercisable; no additional
awards may be made under the 2002 Plan.
The Company had a 1992 nonqualified stock option plan (the 1992 Plan) for certain officers and
key employees. Options under the 1992 Plan were granted at their fair market value (as determined
by the
11
AeroVironment, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)
board of directors) at the date of grant and became exercisable at various times over a five-year
period from the grant date. The 1992 Plan expired in August 2002.
The Company had a 1994 nonqualified stock option plan (the 1994 Directors Plan) for the
directors of the Company. Options under the 1994 Directors Plan were granted at their fair market
value (as determined by the board of directors) at the date of grant and became exercisable on the
date of grant. The 1994 Directors Plan expired in June 2004.
The fair value of stock options granted was estimated at the grant date using the Black-Scholes
option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions for the three and nine months
ended January 27, 2007:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three and Nine Months Ended |
|
|
January 27, 2007 |
Expected term (in years)
|
|
|
6.5 |
|
Expected volatility
|
|
|
22.41 |
% |
Risk-free interest rate
|
|
|
4.56 |
% |
Expected dividend
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average fair value at grant date
|
|
$ |
4.12 |
|
The expected term of stock options represents the weighted average period the Company expects the
stock options to remain outstanding, using a midpoint model based on the Companys historical
exercise and post-vesting cancellation experience and the remaining contractual life of its
outstanding options.
The expected volatility is based on peer group volatility in the absence of historical market data
for the Companys stock, as permitted under FAS 123R. The peer group volatility was derived based
on historical volatility of a comparable peer group index consisting of companies operating in a
similar industry.
The risk free interest rate is based on the implied yield on a U.S. Treasury zero-coupon bond with
a remaining term that approximates the expected term of the option.
The expected dividend yield of zero reflects that the Company has not paid any cash dividends since
inception and does not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
Information related to the Companys stock option plans at January 27, 2007 and for the three and
nine months then ended is as follows:
12
AeroVironment, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2002 Plan |
|
1994 Directors Plan |
|
1992 Plan |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted |
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted- |
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average |
|
|
|
|
|
Average |
|
|
|
|
|
Average |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise |
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise |
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise |
|
|
Shares |
|
Price |
|
Shares |
|
Price |
|
Shares |
|
Price |
Outstanding at April 30, 2006 |
|
|
1,636,640 |
|
|
$ |
1.08 |
|
|
|
70,378 |
|
|
$ |
0.59 |
|
|
|
2,048,704 |
|
|
$ |
0.56 |
|
Options granted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options exercised |
|
|
(201,281 |
) |
|
|
0.68 |
|
|
|
(35,189 |
) |
|
|
0.59 |
|
|
|
(99,937 |
) |
|
|
0.59 |
|
Options canceled |
|
|
(6,334 |
) |
|
|
1.53 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at July 29, 2006 |
|
|
1,429,025 |
|
|
|
1.14 |
|
|
|
35,189 |
|
|
|
0.59 |
|
|
|
1,948,767 |
|
|
|
0.55 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options granted |
|
|
123,162 |
|
|
|
11.79 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options exercised |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7,038 |
) |
|
|
0.59 |
|
Options canceled |
|
|
(14,076 |
) |
|
|
6.21 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at October 28, 2006 |
|
|
1,538,111 |
|
|
|
1.94 |
|
|
|
35,189 |
|
|
|
0.59 |
|
|
|
1,941,729 |
|
|
|
0.55 |
|
Options granted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options exercised |
|
|
(3,577 |
) |
|
|
1.05 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(23 |
) |
|
|
0.55 |
|
Options canceled |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at January 27, 2007 |
|
|
1,534,534 |
|
|
|
1.95 |
|
|
|
35,189 |
|
|
|
0.59 |
|
|
|
1,941,706 |
|
|
|
0.55 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options exercisable at January
27, 2007 |
|
|
638,634 |
|
|
|
0.87 |
|
|
|
35,189 |
|
|
|
0.59 |
|
|
|
1,941,706 |
|
|
|
0.55 |
|
All share information has been adjusted to reflect a 7.0378-for-one stock split which was
effective January 18, 2007.
On September 22, 2006, the Company issued options to purchase 123,162 shares of its common stock at
an exercise price of $11.79 per share. The Company engaged an independent valuation firm to
perform a valuation of the Company, which assessed the fair value of the Company at $11.79 per
share as of September 19, 2006. The valuation was based upon a discounted cash flow analysis and
an analysis of comparable public companies.
The following tabulation summarizes certain information concerning outstanding and exercisable
options at January 27, 2007.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options Outstanding |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average |
|
|
|
|
|
Options Exercisable |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Remaining |
|
Weighted |
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted |
|
|
Range of |
|
As of |
|
Contractual |
|
Average |
|
As of |
|
Average |
|
|
Exercise |
|
January 27, |
|
Life In |
|
Exercise |
|
January 27, |
|
Exercise |
|
|
Prices |
|
2007 |
|
Years |
|
Price |
|
2007 |
|
Price |
|
|
$ |
0.37 |
|
|
|
344,849 |
|
|
|
6.41 |
|
|
$ |
0.37 |
|
|
|
344,849 |
|
|
$ |
0.37 |
|
|
|
|
0.59 |
|
|
|
1,632,046 |
|
|
|
5.15 |
|
|
|
0.59 |
|
|
|
1,632,046 |
|
|
|
0.59 |
|
|
|
0.64-0.78
|
|
|
979,280 |
|
|
|
6.39 |
|
|
|
0.70 |
|
|
|
551,377 |
|
|
|
0.68 |
|
|
|
|
2.13 |
|
|
|
439,142 |
|
|
|
8.73 |
|
|
|
2.13 |
|
|
|
87,257 |
|
|
|
2.13 |
|
|
|
|
11.79 |
|
|
|
116,112 |
|
|
|
9.66 |
|
|
|
11.79 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.37-11.79
|
|
|
3,511,429 |
|
|
|
6.22 |
|
|
|
1.16 |
|
|
|
2,615,529 |
|
|
|
0.63 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All share information has been adjusted to reflect a 7.0378-for-one stock split which was
effective January 18, 2007.
13
AeroVironment, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)
7. Related Party Transactions
Pursuant to a consulting agreement, the Company paid a board member approximately $69,000
and $52,000 during the three months ended January 27, 2007 and January 28, 2006, respectively, and
$183,000 and $176,000 during the nine months ended January 27, 2007 and January 28, 2006,
respectively, for consulting services independent of his board service. The agreement stipulates
the payment of approximately $16,000 plus expenses per month, in exchange for consulting services.
During the year ended April 30, 2006, the Company employed the services of Summit Selling
Systems, Inc. (Summit) and paid Summit approximately $35,000 for these services. One of the
Companys board members has a beneficial interest in Summit. The Company paid Summit approximately
$27,000 and $35,000 during the three months and nine months ended January 28, 2006. No amounts were
paid during the nine months ended January 27, 2007.
8. Segment Data
The Companys product segments are as follows:
|
|
|
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) The UAS segment
consists primarily of the design and manufacture of small
unmanned aircraft systems. |
|
|
|
|
PosiCharge Fast Charge Systems (PosiCharge) The
PosiCharge segment supplies fast charge systems for users
of electric industrial vehicle batteries. |
|
|
|
|
Energy Technology Center The Energy Technology Center
segment consists of energy development projects and power
processing test equipment product sales. |
The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note 1,
Organization and Significant Accounting Policies. The operating segments do not make sales to
each other. Depreciation and amortization related to the manufacturing of goods is included in
gross margin for the segments. The Company does not discretely allocate assets to its operating
segments, nor does the CODM evaluate operating segments using discrete asset information.
Consequently, the Company operates its financial systems as a single segment for accounting and
control purposes, maintains a single indirect rate structure across all segments, has no
inter-segment sales or corporate elimination transactions, and maintains only limited financial
statement information by segment.
The segment results are as follows (in thousands):
14
AeroVironment, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
Nine Months Ended |
|
|
|
January 27, |
|
|
January 28, |
|
|
January 27, |
|
|
January 28, |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
Revenue: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
UAS |
|
$ |
38,763 |
|
|
$ |
28,644 |
|
|
$ |
101,621 |
|
|
$ |
86,511 |
|
PosiCharge |
|
|
5,431 |
|
|
|
4,457 |
|
|
|
14,889 |
|
|
|
16,121 |
|
Energy Technology Center |
|
|
2,081 |
|
|
|
2,367 |
|
|
|
6,511 |
|
|
|
6,137 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
46,275 |
|
|
|
35,468 |
|
|
|
123,021 |
|
|
|
108,769 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross margin: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
UAS |
|
|
16,695 |
|
|
|
12,531 |
|
|
|
40,482 |
|
|
|
34,916 |
|
PosiCharge |
|
|
1,918 |
|
|
|
1,892 |
|
|
|
5,679 |
|
|
|
6,541 |
|
Energy Technology Center |
|
|
1,023 |
|
|
|
1,105 |
|
|
|
3,231 |
|
|
|
2,888 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
19,636 |
|
|
|
15,528 |
|
|
|
49,392 |
|
|
|
44,345 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research and development |
|
|
2,240 |
|
|
|
3,523 |
|
|
|
9,261 |
|
|
|
10,603 |
|
Selling, general and administrative |
|
|
4,224 |
|
|
|
5,776 |
|
|
|
17,091 |
|
|
|
17,026 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from operations |
|
|
13,172 |
|
|
|
6,229 |
|
|
|
23,040 |
|
|
|
16,716 |
|
Interest income |
|
|
173 |
|
|
|
78 |
|
|
|
526 |
|
|
|
141 |
|
Interest expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(35 |
) |
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
(94 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income taxes |
|
$ |
13,345 |
|
|
$ |
6,272 |
|
|
$ |
23,560 |
|
|
$ |
16,763 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Geographic Information
Sales to non-U.S. customers accounted for 2% and 1% of revenue for the three months ended
January 27, 2007 and January 28, 2006, respectively, and 8% and 1% of revenue for the nine months
ended January 27, 2007 and January 28, 2006, respectively.
15
ITEM
2. MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
This section and other parts of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contain
forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. In some cases, forward-looking
statements can be identified by words such as anticipates, believes, could, estimates,
expects, intends, may, plans, potential, predicts, projects, should, will, would
or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations,
estimates and projections about our industry, our managements beliefs and assumptions made by our
management. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and our actual
results may differ significantly from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements.
Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not
limited to, those discussed in Part
II, Item 1A, Risk Factors. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our
unaudited interim financial statements and the financial statements and notes thereto for the year
ended April 30, 2006 and the related Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations, both of which are contained in our final prospectus filed pursuant to
Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with the SEC on January 23, 2007, and the
unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Unless required by law, we expressly disclaim any obligation to
update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as result of new information, future events
or otherwise.
Overview
We design, develop, produce and support a technologically-advanced portfolio of small
unmanned aircraft systems that we supply primarily to organizations within the U.S. Department of
Defense, and fast charge systems for electric industrial vehicle batteries that we supply to
commercial customers. We derive the majority of our revenue from these two business areas.
Customers for our small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) include the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps
and the U.S. Special Operations Command, or SOCOM. Our PosiCharge customers, including Ford Motor
Company, SYSCO Corporation, Southwest Airlines and IKEA, utilize our fast charge systems in their
factories, distribution centers, cold storage facilities and airport ground support operations. The
success we have achieved with our current products stems from our ability to invent and deliver
advanced solutions, utilizing our proprietary technologies, to help our government and commercial
customers operate more effectively and efficiently.
Our small UAS are well positioned to support the transformational strategy of the
U.S. Department of Defense (the DoD), the purpose of which is to convert the military into a
smaller, more agile force that operates through a network of observation, communication and
precision targeting technologies, and its efforts to prosecute the global war on terror, which have
increased the need for real-time, visual information in new operational environments. Our small
UAS, including Raven, Dragon Eye, Swift, Wasp and Puma, are designed to provide valuable
intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance directly to the small tactical unit, or individual
warfighter level, thereby increasing flexibility in mission planning and execution. We also
provide training by our highly-skilled instructors, who typically have extensive military
experience, and continuous refurbishment and repair services for our products.
Our PosiCharge products and services are designed to improve productivity and safety for
operators of electric industrial vehicles, such as forklifts and airport ground support equipment,
by improving battery and fleet management. PosiCharge utilizes our proprietary technology in energy
and battery management to recharge electric industrial vehicle batteries rapidly during regularly
scheduled breaks or other times the vehicle is not in service, eliminating the costly and
time-consuming process of removing and replacing the battery. PosiCharge is able to recharge a
typical electric industrial vehicle battery up to six times faster than a conventional charger.
Utilizing its current, voltage and temperature management capabilities, PosiCharge eliminates the
need to cool batteries during and after normal charging, which can take up to eight hours, thereby
allowing the batteries to remain in the vehicles during the charging process. These capabilities
can also serve to enhance battery performance and lifespan. As of January 27, 2007, our PosiCharge
fast charge systems serviced over 6,000 electric industrial vehicles. We estimate that
approximately 1.0 million electric industrial vehicles currently operate in North America,
including over 100,000 new vehicles that we estimate were shipped in 2005.
16
In January 2007, we completed our initial public offering which resulted in the issuance of
5,252,285 shares of our common stock at a price of $17.00 per share, resulting in net proceeds to
the Company of approximately $80.5 million, after deducting payment of underwriters discounts and
commissions and offering expenses.
Revenue
We generate our revenue primarily from the sale and support of our small UAS and PosiCharge
solutions. Support for our small UAS customers includes training, customer support and repair and
replacement work, which we refer to collectively as our logistics operation. We derive most of our
small UAS revenue from fixed-price and cost-plus-fee contracts with the U.S. government and most of
our PosiCharge revenue from sales and service to commercial customers. We also generate revenue
from our Energy Technology Center through the provision of contract development and engineering
services, the sale of our power processing systems and license fees. For the three months ended
January 27, 2007 and January 28, 2006 and for the nine months ended January 27, 2007 and January
28, 2006, the UAS segment accounted for 84%, 81%, 83% and 80% of our revenue, respectively; the
PosiCharge segment accounted for 12%, 13%, 12% and 15% of our revenue, respectively; and the Energy
Technology Center segment accounted for 7%, 4%, 5% and 5% of our revenue, respectively.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales consists of direct costs and allocated indirect costs. Direct costs include
labor, materials, travel, subcontracts and other costs directly related to the execution of a
specific contract. Indirect costs include overhead expenses, fringe benefits and other costs that
are not directly related to the execution of a specific contract. For the three months ended
January 27, 2007 and January 28, 2006 and for the nine months ended January 27, 2007 and January
28, 2006, cost of sales were 58%, 56%, 60% and 59% of our revenue, respectively.
Gross Margin
Gross margin is equal to revenue minus cost of sales. We use gross margin as a financial
metric to help us understand trends in our direct costs and allocated indirect costs when compared
to the revenue we generate. For the three months ended January 27, 2007 and January 28, 2006 and
for the nine months ended January 27, 2007 and January 28, 2006, gross margin was 42%, 44%, 40% and
41% of our revenue, respectively.
Research and Development Expense
Research and development (R&D) is an integral part of our business model. We conduct
significant internally funded research and development and anticipate that research and development
expense will continue to increase in absolute dollars for the foreseeable future. Our UAS research
and development activities focus specifically on creating capabilities that support our existing
small UAS product portfolio as well as new UAS platforms. These activities are funded both
externally by customers and internally. In addition, we currently have a number of potential
products in various stages of development and commercialization within our research and development
program. For the three months ended January 27, 2007 and January 28, 2006 and for the nine months
ended January 27, 2007 and January 28, 2006, R&D expense accounted for 5%, 10%, 8% and 10% of our
revenue, respectively.
Backlog
We define funded backlog as unfilled firm orders for products and services for which funding
currently is appropriated to us under the contract by the customer. Because of possible future
changes in delivery schedules and/or cancellations of orders, funded backlog at any particular date
is not necessarily representative of actual sales to be expected for any succeeding period, and
actual sales for the year
17
may not meet or exceed the funded backlog represented. As of January 27, 2007 and April 30,
2006, our funded backlog was $43.2 million and $79.7 million, respectively.
In addition to funded backlog, the company defines unfunded backlog as the total remaining
potential order amounts under cost reimbursable and fixed price contracts with multiple one-year
options, or indefinite delivery indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contracts. Unfunded backlog does not
obligate the U.S. government to purchase goods or services. As of January 27, 2007 and April 30,
2006, our unfunded backlog was $531.5 million and $475.5 million, respectively.
Selling, General and Administrative
Our selling, general and administrative expenses, or SG&A, include salaries and other expenses
related to selling, marketing and proposal activities, and other administrative costs. In addition,
expense associated with our supplemental executive retirement plan was included in SG&A. SG&A is an
important financial metric that we analyze to help us evaluate the contribution of our selling,
marketing and proposal activities to revenue generation.
Other Income and Expenses
Other income and expenses include interest income, interest expense, and the recovery of a
previously written-off note receivable.
Income Tax Expense
Beginning in fiscal 2005, our effective tax rates were substantially lower than the statutory
rates primarily due to research and development tax credits. The federal research and development
tax credit expired in December 2005, but was recently reinstated for two years beginning
retroactively on January 1, 2006.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
discusses our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. When we prepare these consolidated
financial statements, we are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported
amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the
date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the
reporting period. Some of our accounting policies require that we make subjective judgments,
including estimates that involve matters that are inherently uncertain. Our most critical estimates
include those related to revenue recognition, inventories and reserves for excess and obsolescence,
self-insured liabilities, accounting for stock-based awards, and income taxes. We base our
estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other factors that we believe to be
reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for our judgments about the
carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Our
actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
There have been no material changes made to the critical accounting estimates during the
periods presented in the consolidated financial statements.
Fiscal Periods
Our fiscal year ends on April 30 and our fiscal quarters end on the last Saturday of
July, October and January.
18
Results of Operations
Our operating segments are UAS, PosiCharge fast charge systems and our Energy Technology
Center. The accounting policies for each of these segments are the same. In addition, a significant
portion of our research and development, selling, general and administrative, and general overhead
resources are shared across our segments.
The following table sets forth our revenue and gross margin generated by each operating
segment for the periods indicated:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
Nine Months Ended |
|
|
|
January 27, |
|
|
January 28, |
|
|
January 27, |
|
|
January 28, |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
(Unaudited) |
|
|
(Unaudited) |
|
Revenue: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
UAS |
|
$ |
38,763 |
|
|
$ |
28,644 |
|
|
$ |
101,621 |
|
|
$ |
86,511 |
|
PosiCharge Fast Charge Systems |
|
|
5,431 |
|
|
|
4,457 |
|
|
|
14,889 |
|
|
|
16,121 |
|
Energy Technology Center |
|
|
2,081 |
|
|
|
2,367 |
|
|
|
6,511 |
|
|
|
6,137 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
46,275 |
|
|
$ |
35,468 |
|
|
$ |
123,021 |
|
|
$ |
108,769 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross margin: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
UAS |
|
$ |
16,695 |
|
|
$ |
12,531 |
|
|
$ |
40,482 |
|
|
$ |
34,916 |
|
PosiCharge Fast Charge Systems |
|
|
1,918 |
|
|
|
1,892 |
|
|
|
5,679 |
|
|
|
6,541 |
|
Energy Technology Center |
|
|
1,023 |
|
|
|
1,105 |
|
|
|
3,231 |
|
|
|
2,888 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
19,636 |
|
|
$ |
15,528 |
|
|
$ |
49,392 |
|
|
$ |
44,345 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended January 27, 2007 Compared to Three Months Ended January 28, 2006
Revenue. Revenue for the three months ended January 27, 2007 was $46.3 million, as
compared to $35.5 million for the three months ended January 28, 2006, representing an
increase of $10.8 million, or 30%. UAS revenue increased $10.1 million to $38.8 million
for the three months ended January 27, 2007, largely due to the higher UAS product sales
of $10.1 million due to shipments upon completion of customer testing and evaluation of
our Raven B product. PosiCharge fast charge systems revenue increased by $0.9 million to
$5.4 million for the three months ended January 27, 2007, primarily due to a larger number
of installations of our PosiCharge fast charge systems at both new and existing customers.
Energy Technology Center revenue decreased by $0.3 million to $2.1 million in the three
months ended January 27, 2007, primarily due to lower sales of power processing test
equipment.
Cost of Sales. Cost of sales for the three months ended January 27, 2007 was $26.6
million, as compared to $19.9 million for the three months ended January 28, 2006,
representing an increase of $6.7 million, or 34%. The increase in cost of sales was
caused primarily by higher UAS cost of sales of $6.0 million and PosiCharge fast charge
systems cost of sales of $0.9 million offset by lower Energy Technology Center cost of
sales of $0.2 million.
Gross Margin. Gross margin for the three months ended January 27, 2007 was $19.6
million, as compared to $15.5 million for the three months ended January 28, 2006,
representing an increase of $4.1 million, or 26%. UAS gross margin increased $4.2 million
to $16.7 million for the three months ended January 27, 2007. As a percentage of revenue,
gross margin for UAS decreased slightly from 44% to 43%. PosiCharge fast charge systems
gross margin was unchanged at $1.9 million for the three months ended January 27, 2007.
As a percentage of revenue, PosiCharge fast charge systems gross margin decreased from 42%
to 35% primarily due to higher manufacturing support costs. Energy Technology Center
gross margin decreased $0.1 million to $1.0 million for the three months ended January 27,
2007, primarily due to lower
19
sales of power processing test equipment. As a percentage of
revenue, Energy Technology Center gross margin increased from 47% to 49% for the three months ended January 27, 2007,
primarily due to the higher equipment sales relative to customer-funded R&D work.
Research and Development. R&D expense for the three months ended January 27, 2007 was
$2.2 million (or 5% of revenue), which was lower than R&D expense of $3.5 million (or 10%
of revenue) for the three months ended January 28, 2006 primarily due to a shift of
engineering resources to customer-funded R&D work.
Selling, General and Administrative. SG&A expense for the three months ended January 27,
2007 was $4.2 million (or 9% of revenue), which included the reversal of the SERP of $2.2
million. Excluding the reversal, SG&A expense increased to $6.4 million (or 14% of
revenue) compared to SG&A expense of $5.8 million (or 16% of revenue) in the three months
ended January 28, 2006. The increase in SG&A expense of $0.6 million was caused primarily
by the added administrative and marketing infrastructure necessary as we continue to grow
our business.
Income Tax Expense. Our effective income tax rate was 33.4% for the three months
ended January 27, 2007, as compared to 30.0% for the three months ended January 28, 2006.
This increase was largely due to lower federal research and development tax credits.
Nine Months Ended January 27, 2007 Compared to Nine Months Ended January 28, 2006
Revenue. Revenue for the nine months ended January 27, 2007 was $123.0 million, as
compared to $108.8 million for the nine months ended January 28, 2006, representing an
increase of $14.2 million, or 13%. UAS revenue increased $15.1 million to $101.6 million
for the nine months ended January 27, 2007, largely due to increases in UAS product sales
of $6.1 million, services of $4.8 million, and customer-funded R&D work of $4.1 million.
The increase in product sales resulted from higher manufacturing volume associated with
the completion of customer testing and evaluation of our Raven B product. PosiCharge fast
charge systems revenue decreased by $1.2 million to $14.9 million for the nine months
ended January 27, 2007, primarily due to lower installations of our PosiCharge fast charge
systems with our automotive customers. Energy Technology Center revenue increased by $0.4
million to $6.5 million in the nine months ended January 27, 2007, primarily due to higher
sales of power processing test equipment.
Cost of Sales. Cost of sales for the nine months ended January 27, 2007 was $73.6
million, as compared to $64.4 million for the nine months ended January 28, 2006,
representing an increase of $9.2 million, or 14%. The increase in cost of sales was
caused primarily by higher UAS cost of sales of $9.5 million, partially offset by lower
PosiCharge fast charge systems cost of sales of $0.4 million.
Gross Margin. Gross margin for the nine months ended January 27, 2007 was $49.4 million,
as compared to $44.3 million for the nine months ended January 28, 2006, representing an
increase of $5.0 million, or 11%. UAS gross margin increased $5.6 million to $40.5
million for the nine months ended January 27, 2007. As a percentage of revenue, gross
margin for UAS was 40% for the nine months ended January 27, 2007 and January 28, 2006.
PosiCharge fast charge systems gross margin decreased $0.8 million to $5.7 million for the
nine months ended January 27, 2007, due to lower sales volume. As a percentage of
revenue, PosiCharge fast charge systems gross margin decreased from 41% to 38%. Energy
Technology Center gross margin increased $0.3 million to $3.2 million for the nine months
ended January 27, 2007, primarily due to higher sales of power processing test equipment.
As a percentage of revenue, Energy Technology Center gross margin increased from 47% to
50% for the nine months ended January 27, 2007, primarily due to the higher equipment
sales relative to customer-funded research and development work.
20
Research and Development. R&D expense for the nine months ended January 27, 2007
was $9.3 million (or 8% of revenue), which is in line with R&D expense of $10.6 million
(or 10% of revenue) for the nine months ended January 28, 2006.
Selling, General and Administrative. SG&A expense for the nine months ended January 27,
2007 was $17.1 million (or 14% of revenue), which included the reversal of expenses
associated with the SERP of $2.2 million. Excluding the SERP reversal, SG&A expense
increased to $19.3 million (or 16% of revenue) compared to SG&A expense of $17.0 million
(or 16% of revenue) in the nine months ended January 28, 2006. The increase in SG&A
expense of $2.3 million was caused primarily by the added administrative and marketing
infrastructure necessary as we continue to grow our business.
Income Tax Expense. Our effective income tax rate was 35.7% for the nine months
ended January 27, 2007, as compared to 30.0% for the nine months ended January 28, 2006.
This increase was largely due to lower federal research and development tax credits.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We currently have no material cash commitments, except for normal recurring trade
payables, accrued expenses and ongoing research and development costs, all of which we
anticipate funding through our existing working capital, funds provided by operating
activities and our working capital line of credit. The majority of our purchase
obligations are pursuant to funded contractual arrangements with our customers. In
addition, we do not currently anticipate significant investment in property, plant and
equipment, and we believe that our existing cash, cash equivalents, cash provided by
operating activities, funds available through our working capital line of credit and other
financing sources will be sufficient to meet our anticipated working capital, capital
expenditure and debt service requirements, if any, during the next twelve months. There
can be no assurance, however, that our business will continue to generate cash flow at
current levels. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow from operations, then we
may be required to sell assets, reduce capital expenditures or obtain additional
financing.
Our primary liquidity needs are for financing working capital, investing in capital
expenditures, supporting product development efforts, introducing new products and
enhancing existing products, and marketing acceptance and adoption of our products and
services. Our future capital requirements, to a certain extent, are also subject to
general conditions in or affecting the defense industry and are subject to general
economic, political, financial, competitive, legislative and regulatory factors that are
beyond our control. Moreover, to the extent that existing cash, cash equivalents, cash
from operations, and cash from short-term borrowing are insufficient to fund our future
activities, we may need to raise additional funds through public or private equity or debt
financing. Although we are currently not a party to any agreement or letter of intent with
respect to potential investment in, or acquisitions of, businesses, services or
technologies, we may enter into these types of arrangements in the future, which could
also require us to seek additional equity or debt financing.
Our working capital requirements vary by contract type. On cost-plus-fee programs, we
typically bill our incurred costs and fees monthly as work progresses, and therefore
working capital investment is minimal. On fixed-price contracts, we typically are paid as
we deliver products, and working capital is needed to fund labor and expenses incurred
during the lead time from contract award until contract deliveries begin.
Cash Flows
The following table provides our cash flow data for the nine months ended January 27, 2007
and January 28, 2006:
21
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended |
|
|
January 27, |
|
January 28, |
|
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
|
(Unaudited) |
Net cash provided by
operating activities |
|
$ |
12,613 |
|
|
$ |
14,423 |
|
Net cash used in investing
activities |
|
$ |
(1,680 |
) |
|
$ |
(2,604 |
) |
Net cash provided by (used in)
financing activities |
|
$ |
81,886 |
|
|
$ |
(2,282 |
) |
Cash Provided by Operating Activities. Net cash provided by operating activities for the
nine months ended January 27, 2007 decreased by $1.8 million to $12.6 million, compared to
net cash provided by operating activities of $14.4 million for the nine months ended
January 28, 2006. This decrease in net cash used in operating activities was primarily due
to continued sales growth that resulted in increased working capital needs of $2.1
million.
Cash Used in Investing Activities. Net cash used in investing activities was $1.7
million for the nine months ended January 27, 2007, compared to $2.6 million for the nine
months ended January 28, 2006. During the nine months ended January 27, 2007 and January
28, 2006, we used cash to purchase property and equipment totaling $1.7 million and $2.6
million, respectively.
Cash Provided by Financing Activities. Net cash provided by financing activities
increased $84.2 million to $81.9 million for the nine months ended January 27, 2007,
compared to net cash used by financing activities of $2.3 million for the nine months
ended January 28, 2006. During the nine months ended January 27, 2007, we received net
proceeds from our initial public offering of $80.5 million. Long-term debt payments, net
of borrowings, during the nine months ended January 27, 2007 decreased by $0.8 million,
compared to the nine months ended January 28, 2006. In addition, we fulfilled the delivery
terms outlined in a standby letter of credit that allowed us to release $1.1 million of
restricted cash.
Line of Credit and Term Loan Facilities
We have a revolving line of
credit with a bank, under which we may borrow up to $16.5
million. Borrowings bear interest at the banks prime commercial lending rate, which was 8.25% and
7.75% as of January 27, 2007 and April 30, 2006, respectively. The line of credit is
secured by substantially all of our assets. All principal plus accrued but unpaid interest
on the line of credit is due August 31, 2007. We had no outstanding balance on the
line of credit or the term loan as of January 27, 2007.
We have entered into standby letter-of-credit agreements and bank guarantee agreements
with financial institutions and customers primarily relating to the guarantee of our
future performance on certain contracts to provide products and services and to secure
advance payments we have received from certain international customers. As of January 27,
2007, we had standby letters of credit totaling $0.4 million and had received no claims
against such letters of credit. These letters of credit expire upon release by the
customer.
22
Contractual Obligations
In connection with the completion of our initial public offering, we terminated the
SERP, resulting in a reversal of this approximately $2.2 million obligation in January
2007.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of January 27, 2007, we had no off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item
303(a)(4) of the SECs Regulation S-K.
Inflation
Our operations have not been, and we do not expect them to be, materially affected by
inflation. Historically, we have been successful in adjusting prices to our customers to
reflect changes in our material and labor costs.
New Accounting Standards
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) included elsewhere herein
for disclosure on new accounting pronouncements.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Interest Rate Risk
It is our policy not to enter into interest rate derivative financial instruments. We
do not currently have any significant interest rate exposure.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
Since a significant part of our sales and expenses are denominated in U.S. dollars,
we have not experienced significant foreign exchange gains or losses to date, and do not
expect to incur significant foreign exchange gains or losses in the future. We
occasionally engage in forward contracts in foreign currencies to limit our exposure on
non-U.S. dollar transactions.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
There are no material changes from the information provided for the year ended April
30, 2006 in our Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed with the SEC on September 28,
2006, as amended.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rule
13a-15(f)) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our
Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time
periods specified in the SECs rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated
and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding the required
disclosure.
In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, our management
recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can
provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and our
management necessarily is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit
relationship of possible controls and procedures.
Our disclosure controls system is based upon a global chain of financial and general
business reporting lines that converge at our headquarters in Monrovia, California. As
required by Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(b), we carried out an evaluation, under the
supervision and with
23
the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure
controls and procedures.
Based on the foregoing, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have
concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure
controls and procedures are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information is
recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the
SECs rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our
management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer as
appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding the required disclosure.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We are not currently a party to any material legal proceedings. We are, however, subject to
lawsuits from time to time in the ordinary course of business.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider
the following risk factors, as well as the other information in this report, before deciding
whether to invest in our common stock. If any of the following risks actually materializes, then
our business, financial condition and results of operations would suffer. The trading price of our
common stock could decline as a result of any of these risks, and you might lose all or part of
your investment in our common stock.
We rely heavily on sales to the U.S. government, particularly to agencies of the Department of
Defense.
Historically, a significant portion of our total sales and substantially all of our small
UAS sales have been to the U.S. government and its agencies. Sales to the U.S. government, either
as a prime contractor or subcontractor, represented approximately 82% of our revenue for the fiscal
year ended April 30, 2006. The DoD, our principal U.S. government customer, accounted for
approximately 77% of our revenue for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2006. We believe that the
success and growth of our business for the foreseeable future will continue to depend on our
ability to win government contracts, in particular from the DoD. Many of our government customers
are subject to budgetary constraints and our continued performance under these contracts, or award
of additional contracts from these agencies, could be jeopardized by spending reductions or budget
cutbacks at these agencies. The funding of U.S. government programs is uncertain and dependent on
continued congressional appropriations and administrative allotment of funds based on an annual
budgeting process. We cannot assure you that current levels of congressional funding for our
products and services will continue. Furthermore, all of our contracts with the U.S. government are
terminable by the U.S. government at will. A significant decline in government expenditures
generally, or with respect to programs for which we provide products, could adversely affect our
business and prospects. Our operating results may also be negatively impacted by other developments
that affect these government programs generally, including the following:
changes in government programs that are related to our products and services;
adoption of new laws or regulations relating to government contracting or changes to existing
laws or regulations;
changes in political or public support for security and defense programs;
delays or changes in the government appropriations process;
uncertainties associated with the war on terror and other geo-political matters; and
delays in the payment of our invoices by government payment offices.
These developments and other factors could cause governmental agencies to reduce their
purchases under existing contracts, to exercise their rights to terminate contracts at-will or to
abstain from renewing contracts, any of which would cause our revenue to decline and could
otherwise harm our business, financial condition and results of operations
24
Military transformation and operational levels in Afghanistan and Iraq may affect future
procurement priorities and existing programs, which could limit demand for our unmanned aircraft
systems.
Following the end of the Cold War, the U.S. military began a transformation of its
operational concepts, organizational structure and technologies in an effort to improve warfighting
capabilities. The resulting shift in procurement priorities toward achieving these capabilities,
together with the current high level of operational activity in Afghanistan and Iraq, have led to
an increase in demand for our small UAS. We cannot predict whether current or future changes in
priorities due to defense transformation or continuation of the current nature and magnitude of
operations in Afghanistan and Iraq will afford new opportunities for our small UAS business in
terms of existing, additional or replacement programs. Furthermore, we cannot predict whether or to
what extent this defense transformation or current operational levels in Afghanistan or Iraq will
continue. If defense transformation or operations in Afghanistan and Iraq cease or slow down, then
our business, financial condition and results of operations could be harmed.
We operate in evolving markets, which makes it difficult to evaluate our business and future
prospects.
Unmanned aircraft systems, fast charge systems and other energy technologies that we
offer are sold in new and rapidly evolving markets. Accordingly, our business and future prospects
are difficult to evaluate. We cannot accurately predict the extent to which demand for our products
will increase, if at all. Prior to investing, you should consider the challenges, risks and
uncertainties frequently encountered by companies in rapidly evolving markets. These challenges
include our ability to do the following:
generate sufficient revenue to maintain profitability;
acquire and maintain market share;
manage growth in our operations;
develop and renew contracts;
attract and retain additional engineers and other highly-qualified personnel;
successfully develop and commercially market new products;
adapt to new or changing policies and spending priorities of governments and government
agencies; and
access additional capital when required and on reasonable terms.
If we fail to address these and other challenges, risks and uncertainties successfully,
our business, results of operations and financial condition would be materially harmed.
We face competition from other firms, many of which have substantially greater resources.
The defense industry is highly competitive and generally characterized by intense
competition to win contracts. Our current principal small UAS competitors include Advanced Ceramics
Research, Inc., Applied Research Associates, Inc., Elbit Systems Ltd., L-3 Communications Holdings
Inc. and Lockheed Martin Corporation. We do not view large UAS such as Northrop Grumman
Corporations Global Hawk, General Atomics, Inc.s Predator, The Boeing Companys ScanEagle and AAI
Corporations Shadow as direct competitors because they perform different missions and are not hand
launched and controlled, although we cannot be certain that these platforms will not become direct
competitors in the future. Some of these firms have substantially greater financial, management,
research and marketing resources than we have. The primary direct competitors to our PosiCharge
business are other fast charge suppliers, including Aker Wade Power Technologies LLC,
Minit-Charger, a subsidiary of Edison International, and PowerDesigners, LLC, as well as industrial
battery manufacturers who distribute fast charge systems from these suppliers. Our competitors may
be able to provide customers with different or greater
25
capabilities or benefits than we can provide in areas such as technical qualifications, past
contract performance, geographic presence, price and the availability of key professional
personnel, including those with security clearances. Furthermore, many of our competitors may be
able to utilize their substantially greater resources and economies of scale to develop competing
products and technologies, divert sales away from us by winning broader contracts or hire away our
employees by offering more lucrative compensation packages. In the event that the market for
unmanned aircraft systems, or UAS, expands, we expect that competition will intensify as additional
competitors enter the market and current competitors expand their product lines. In order to secure
contracts successfully when competing with larger, well-financed companies, we may be forced to
agree to contractual terms that provide for lower aggregate payments to us over the life of the
contract, which could adversely affect our margins. In addition, larger diversified competitors
serving as prime contractors may be able to supply underlying products and services from affiliated
entities, which would prevent us from competing for subcontracting opportunities on these
contracts. Our failure to compete effectively with respect to any of these or other factors could
have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition or operating
results.
If the unmanned aircraft systems and fast charge systems markets do not experience significant
growth, if we cannot expand our customer base or if our products do not achieve broad acceptance,
then we will not be able to achieve our anticipated level of growth.
For the fiscal year ended April 30, 2006, unmanned aircraft systems and fast charge
systems accounted for 80% and 14% of our total revenue, respectively. We cannot accurately predict
the future growth rates or sizes of these markets. Demand for these types of systems may not
increase, or may decrease, either generally or in specific markets, for particular types of
products or during particular time periods. Moreover, there are only a limited number of major
programs under which the U.S. military, our primary customer, is currently funding the development
or purchase of unmanned aircraft systems. Although we are seeking to expand our customer base to
include foreign governments, domestic non-military agencies and commercial customers, we cannot
assure you that our efforts will be successful. The expansion of the unmanned aircraft systems and
fast charge systems markets in general, and the market for our products in particular, depends on a
number of factors, including the following:
customer satisfaction with these types of systems as solutions;
the cost, performance and reliability of our products and products offered by our
competitors;
customer perceptions regarding the effectiveness and value of these types of systems;
limitations on our ability to market our small UAS products outside the United States due
to U.S. government regulations;
obtaining timely regulatory approvals, including, with respect to our small UAS business,
access to airspace and wireless spectrum; and
marketing efforts and publicity regarding these types of systems.
Even if unmanned aircraft systems and fast charge systems gain wide market acceptance,
our products may not adequately address market requirements and may not continue to gain market
acceptance. If these types of systems generally, or our products specifically, do not gain wide
market acceptance, then we may not be able to achieve our anticipated level of growth and our
revenue and results of operations would suffer.
If critical components of our products that we currently purchase from a small number of suppliers
or raw materials used to manufacture our products become scarce or unavailable, then we may incur
delays in manufacturing and delivery of our products, which could damage our business.
We obtain hardware components and various subsystems from a limited group of suppliers.
We do not have long-term agreements with any of these suppliers that obligate them to continue to
sell components or products to us. For example, L-3 Communications Holdings Inc., which is one of
our
26
competitors, and Rockwell Collins are currently the sole suppliers of our downlink
transmitters/receivers and GPS modules, respectively, for several of our small UAS products,
including Raven. In addition, Miller Electric is the sole supplier of the power sources for the
PosiCharge ELT product line, and Bruno Bassi is the sole supplier of the PosiCharge SVS product
line. We also have several sole suppliers of PosiCharge components and subsystems, such as Accurate
Electronics, which supplies multiple items, including display panels and power stages. Our reliance
on these suppliers involves significant risks and uncertainties, including whether our suppliers
will provide an adequate supply of required components of sufficient quality, will increase prices
for the components and will perform their obligations on a timely basis.
In addition, certain raw materials and components used in the manufacture of our products
are periodically subject to supply shortages, and our business is subject to the risk of price
increases and periodic delays in delivery. For example, the airframes for our small UAS are made
from certain nylon composites, which experienced restrictions in available supply in 2005 due to
increased worldwide demand. Similarly, the market for electronic components is subject to cyclical
reductions in supply. If we are unable to obtain components from third-party suppliers in the
quantities and of the quality that we require, on a timely basis and at acceptable prices, then we
may not be able to deliver our products on a timely or cost-effective basis to our customers, which
could cause customers to terminate their contracts with us, increase our costs and seriously harm
our business, results of operations and financial condition. Moreover, if any of our suppliers
become financially unstable, then we may have to find new suppliers. It may take several months to
locate alternative suppliers, if required, or to redesign our products to accommodate components
from different suppliers. We may experience significant delays in manufacturing and shipping our
products to customers and incur additional development, manufacturing and other costs to establish
alternative sources of supply if we lose any of these sources or are required to redesign our
products. We cannot predict if we will be able to obtain replacement components within the time
frames that we require at an affordable cost, if at all.
Any efforts to expand our product offerings beyond our current markets may not succeed, which
could negatively impact our operating results.
We have focused on selling our small unmanned aircraft systems to the U.S. military and
our fast charge systems to large industrial electric vehicle fleet operators primarily in North
America. We plan, however, to seek to expand our unmanned aircraft systems sales into other
government and commercial markets and our fast charge systems sales into international markets.
Efforts to expand our product offerings beyond the markets that we currently serve may divert
management resources from existing operations and require us to commit significant financial
resources to unproven businesses that may not generate additional sales, either of which could
significantly impair our operating results.
Our failure to obtain necessary regulatory approvals from the Federal Aviation Administration
or other appropriate governmental agency may prevent us from expanding the sales of our small UAS
to non-military customers in the United States and require us to incur additional costs in the
testing of our products.
The Federal Aviation Administration (the FAA) recently issued a revised interpretation of
its policies stating that, in order to engage in public use of small UAS in the U.S. National
Airspace System, an operator must establish the small UAS airworthiness through the FAA, DoD or
another approved certification process. The FAAs certification process requires that applicants
demonstrate that a collision with another aircraft or other airspace user is extremely improbable,
that the small UAS complies with appropriate cloud and terrain clearances and that the operator of
the small UAS is generally within one mile laterally and 3,000 feet vertically of the small UAS.
Furthermore, the FAAs revised interpretation states that the rules for radio-controlled hobby
aircraft do not apply to public use of small UAS. The FAA is in the process of drafting updated
regulations specifically for small UAS operations, but we cannot assure you that these regulations
will allow the use of our small UAS by potential civilian and commercial customers. If the FAA
does not modify its regulations, we will experience increased costs to develop and test our small
UAS and may not be able to expand our sales of UAS beyond our military customers to civilian and
commercial users, which could harm our business prospects.
Recently, the Defense Contract Management Agency (the DCMA) informed us that, under the
terms of our DoD contracts, the government parties with whom we are contracting are required to
obtain a
27
certificate of authorization for flight tests of our small UAS outside of military
installations. If our DoD customers are unable to obtain such a certificate, we may not be able to
perform our flight tests without incurring the additional costs of transporting our small UAS
products to military installations, which could impair our operating results.
The markets in which we compete are characterized by rapid technological change, which
requires us to develop new products and product enhancements, and could render our existing
products obsolete.
Continuing technological changes in the market for our products could make our products
less competitive or obsolete, either generally or for particular applications. Our future success
will depend upon our ability to develop and introduce a variety of new capabilities and
enhancements to our existing product offerings, as well as introduce a variety of new product
offerings, to address the changing needs of the markets in which we offer our products. Delays in
introducing new products and enhancements, the failure to choose correctly among technical
alternatives or the failure to offer innovative products or enhancements at competitive prices may
cause existing and potential customers to purchase our competitors products.
If we are unable to devote adequate resources to develop new products or cannot otherwise
successfully develop new products or enhancements that meet customer requirements on a timely
basis, our products could lose market share, our revenue and profits could decline, and we could
experience operating losses.
We expect to incur substantial research and development costs and devote significant resources to
identifying and commercializing new products, which could significantly reduce our profitability
and may never result in revenue to us.
Our future growth depends on penetrating new markets, adapting existing products to new
applications, and introducing new products that achieve market acceptance. We plan to incur
substantial research and development costs as part of our efforts to design, develop and
commercialize new products and enhance existing products. We spent $16.1 million, or 12% of our
revenue, in fiscal year 2006 on research and development activities and expect to continue to spend
significant funds on research and development in the future. We expect to utilize a portion of the
proceeds of this offering and cash flow from operations to fund our research and development,
although we may also utilize borrowings or other external funding in the future. Because we account
for research and development as an operating expense, these expenditures will adversely affect our
earnings in the future. Further, our research and development program may not produce successful
results, and our new products may not achieve market acceptance, create additional revenue or
become profitable, which could materially harm our business, prospects, financial results and
liquidity.
If we are unable to manage our growth, our business could be adversely affected.
Our headcount and operations have grown rapidly. This rapid growth has placed, and will
continue to place, a significant strain on our management and our administrative, operational and
financial infrastructure. From January 2004 through [January 2007, we nearly doubled] the number of
our employees. We anticipate further growth of headcount and facilities will be required to address
increases in our product offerings and the geographic scope of our customer base. Our success will
depend in part upon the ability of our senior management to manage this growth effectively. To do
so, we must continue to hire, train, manage and integrate a significant number of qualified
managers and engineers. If our new employees perform poorly, or if we are unsuccessful in hiring,
training, managing and integrating these new employees, or retaining these or our existing
employees, then our business may suffer.
For us to continue our growth, we must continue to improve our operational, financial and
management information systems. If we are unable to manage our growth while maintaining our quality
of service, or if new systems that we implement to assist in managing our growth do not produce the
expected benefits, then our business, prospects, financial condition or operating results could be
adversely affected.
28
Our earnings and profit margins may decrease based on the mix of our contracts and programs
and other factors related to our contracts.
In general, we perform our production work under fixed-price contracts and our repair and
customer-funded research and development work under cost-plus-fee contracts. Under fixed-price
contracts, we perform services under a contract at a stipulated price. Under cost-plus-fee
contracts, which are subject to a contract ceiling amount, we are reimbursed for allowable costs
and paid a fee, which may be fixed or performance based. We typically experience lower profit
margins under cost-plus-fee contracts than under fixed-price contracts, though fixed-price
contracts have higher risks. In general, if the volume of services we perform under cost-plus-fee
contracts increases relative to the volume of services we perform under fixed-price contracts, we
expect that our operating margin will suffer. In addition, our earnings and margins may decrease
depending on the costs we incur in contract performance, our achievement of other contract
performance objectives and the stage of our performance at which our right to receive fees,
particularly under incentive and award fee contracts, is finally determined.
Our senior management and key employees are important to our customer relationships and
overall business.
We believe that our success depends in part on the continued contributions of our senior
management and key employees. We rely on our executive officers, senior management and key
employees to generate business and execute programs successfully. In addition, the relationships
and reputation that members of our management team and key employees have established and maintain
with government defense personnel contribute to our ability to maintain good customer relations and
to identify new business opportunities. We do not have employment agreements with any of our
executive officers or key employees, and these individuals could terminate their employment with us
at any time. The loss of any of our executive officers, members of our senior management team or
key employees could significantly delay or prevent the achievement of our business objectives and
could materially harm our business and customer relationships and impair our ability to identify
and secure new contracts and otherwise manage our business.
We must recruit and retain highly-skilled employees to succeed in our competitive business.
We depend on our ability to recruit and retain employees who have advanced engineering
and technical services skills and who work well with our customers. These employees are in great
demand and are likely to remain a limited resource in the foreseeable future. If we are unable to
recruit and retain a sufficient number of these employees, then our ability to maintain our
competitiveness and grow our business could be negatively affected. In addition, because of the
highly technical nature of our products, the loss of any significant number of our existing
engineering personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business and operating results.
Moreover, some of our U.S. government contracts contain provisions requiring us to staff a program
with certain personnel the customer considers key to our successful performance under the contract.
In the event we are unable to provide these key personnel or acceptable substitutes, the customer
may terminate the contract.
Our business may be dependent upon our employees obtaining and maintaining required security
clearances.
Certain of our U.S. government contracts require our employees to maintain various levels
of security clearances, and we are required to maintain certain facility security clearances
complying with DoD requirements. The DoD has strict security clearance requirements for personnel
who work on classified programs. Obtaining and maintaining security clearances for employees
involves a lengthy process, and it is difficult to identify, recruit and retain employees who
already hold security clearances. If our employees are unable to obtain security clearances in a
timely manner, or at all, or if our employees who hold security clearances are unable to maintain
the clearances or terminate employment with us, then a customer requiring classified work could
terminate the contract or decide not to renew it upon its expiration. In addition, we expect that
many of the contracts on which we will bid will require us to demonstrate our ability to obtain
facility security clearances and employ personnel with specified types of
29
security clearances. To the extent we are not able to obtain facility security clearances or
engage employees with the required security clearances for a particular contract, we may not be
able to bid on or win new contracts, or effectively rebid on expiring contracts.
Cost overruns on our contracts could subject us to losses, decrease our operating margins and
adversely affect our future business.
Fixed-price contracts represented approximately 69% of our revenue for the fiscal year
ended April 30, 2006. If we fail to anticipate technical problems, estimate costs accurately or
control costs during our performance of fixed-price contracts, then we may incur losses on these
contracts because we absorb any costs in excess of the fixed price. Under cost-plus-fee contracts,
if costs exceed the contract ceiling or are not allowable under the provisions of the contract or
applicable regulations, then we may not be able to obtain reimbursement for all such costs. Under
time and materials contracts, we are paid for labor at negotiated hourly billing rates and for
certain expenses. Under each type of contract, if we are unable to control the costs we incur in
performing under the contract, then our financial condition and results of operations could be
materially adversely affected. Cost overruns also may adversely affect our ability to sustain
existing programs and obtain future contract awards.
Our products are complex and could have unknown defects or errors, which may give rise to
claims against us, diminish our brand or divert our resources from other purposes.
Our unmanned aircraft systems rely on complex avionics, sensors, user-friendly interfaces
and tightly-integrated, electromechanical designs to accomplish their missions, and our fast charge
systems and energy systems often rely upon the application of intellectual property for which there
may have been little or no prior commercial application. Despite testing, our products have
contained defects and errors and may in the future contain defects, errors or performance problems
when first introduced, when new versions or enhancements are released, or even after these products
have been used by our customers for a period of time. These problems could result in expensive and
time-consuming design modifications or warranty charges, delays in the introduction of new products
or enhancements, significant increases in our service and maintenance costs, exposure to liability
for damages, damaged customer relationships and harm to our reputation, any of which could
materially harm our results of operations and ability to achieve market acceptance. In addition,
increased development and warranty costs could be substantial and could reduce our operating
margins.
The existence of any defects, errors, or failures in our products or the misuse of our
products could also lead to product liability claims or lawsuits against us. A defect, error or
failure in one of our unmanned aircraft systems could result in injury, death or property damage
and significantly damage our reputation and support for unmanned aircraft systems in general. While
our fast charge systems include certain safety mechanisms, these systems can deliver up to 600 amps
of current in their application, and the failure, malfunction or misuse of these systems could
result in injury or death. Although we maintain insurance policies, we cannot assure you that this
insurance will be adequate to protect us from all material judgments and expenses related to
potential future claims or that these levels of insurance will be available in the future at
economical prices or at all. A successful product liability claim could result in substantial cost
to us. Even if we are fully insured as it relates to a claim, the claim could nevertheless diminish
our brand and divert managements attention and resources, which could have a negative impact on
our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The operation of unmanned aircraft systems in urban environments may be subject to risks, such
as accidental collisions and transmission interference, which may limit demand for our unmanned
aircraft systems in such environments and harm our business and operating results.
Urban environments may present certain challenges to the operators of unmanned aircraft
systems. Unmanned aircraft systems may accidentally collide with other aircraft, persons or
property, which could result in injury, death or property damage and significantly damage the
reputation of and support for unmanned aircraft systems in general. While we are aware of only one
instance of an accidental collision involving an unmanned aircraft system to date, as the usage of
unmanned aircraft systems has increased, particularly by military customers in urban areas of
Afghanistan and Iraq, the danger of such
30
collisions has increased. Furthermore, the number of unmanned aircraft systems that can
operate simultaneously in a given geographic area is limited by the allocated frequency spectrum
available. In addition, obstructions to effective transmissions in urban environments, such as
large buildings, may limit the ability of the operator to utilize the aircraft for its intended
purpose. The risks or limitations of operating unmanned aircraft systems in urban environments may
limit their value in such environments, which may limit demand for our unmanned aircraft systems
and consequently materially harm our business and operating results.
Our quarterly operating results may vary widely.
Our quarterly revenue, cash flow and operating results have and may continue to fluctuate
significantly in the future due to a number of factors, including the following:
fluctuations in revenue derived from government contracts, including cost-plus-fee
contracts and contracts with a performance-based fee structure;
the size and timing of orders from military and other governmental agencies, including
increased purchase requests from government customers for equipment and materials in connection
with the U.S. governments fiscal year end, which may affect our second quarter operating results;
the mix of products that we sell in the period;
seasonal fluctuations in customer demand for some of our products or services;
unanticipated costs incurred in the introduction of new products;
fluctuations in the adoption of our products in new markets;
changes in the level of tax credits available for research and development spending;
cancellations, delays or contract amendments by our governmental agency customers; and
changes in policy or budgetary measures that adversely affect our governmental agency
customers.
Changes in the volume of products and services provided under existing contracts and the
number of contracts commenced, completed or terminated during any quarter may cause significant
variations in our cash flow from operations because a relatively large amount of our expenses are
fixed. We incur significant operating expenses during the start-up and early stages of large
contracts and typically do not receive corresponding payments in that same quarter. We may also
incur significant or unanticipated expenses when contracts expire or are terminated or are not
renewed. In addition, payments due to us from government agencies may be delayed due to billing
cycles or as a result of failures of governmental budgets to gain congressional and presidential
administration approval in a timely manner.
Shortfalls in available external research and development funding could adversely affect us.
We depend on our research and development activities to develop the core technologies
used in our small UAS and PosiCharge products and for the development of our future products. A
portion of our research and development activities depends on funding by commercial companies and
the U.S. government. U.S. government and commercial spending levels can be impacted by a number of
variables, including general economic conditions, specific companies financial performance and
competition for U.S. government funding with other U.S. government-sponsored programs in the budget
formulation and appropriation processes. Moreover, the U.S., state and local governments provide
energy rebates and incentives to commercial companies, which directly impact the amount of research
and development that companies appropriate for energy systems. To the extent that these energy
rebates and incentives are reduced or eliminated, company funding for research and development
could be reduced. Any reductions in available research and development funding could harm our
business, financial condition and operating results.
31
Volatility and cyclicality in the market for electric industrial vehicles could adversely
affect us.
Our PosiCharge fast charge systems, which accounted for 14% of our revenue during the
fiscal year ended April 30, 2006, are purchased primarily by operators of fleets of electric
industrial vehicles, such as forklift trucks and airport ground support equipment. Consequently,
our ability to remain profitable depends in part on the varying conditions in the market for
electric industrial vehicles. This market is subject to volatility as it moves in response to
cycles in the overall business environment and is also particularly sensitive to the industrial,
food and beverage, retail and air travel sectors, which generate a significant portion of the
demand for such vehicles. Sales of electric industrial vehicles have historically been cyclical,
with demand affected by such economic factors as industrial production, construction levels, demand
for consumer and durable goods, interest rates and fuel costs. A significant decline in demand for
electric industrial vehicles could adversely affect our revenue and prospects, which would harm our
business, financial condition and operating results.
Our fast charge business is dependent upon our relationships with battery dealers and other
third parties with whom we do not have exclusive arrangements.
To remain competitive in the market for fast charge systems, we must maintain our access
to potential customers and ensure that the service needs of our customers are met adequately. In
many cases, we rely on battery dealers for access to potential PosiCharge customers. Currently, one
of our fast charge system competitors is working with a battery manufacturer to sell fast charge
systems and batteries together. Cooperative agreements between our competitors and battery
manufacturers could restrict our access to battery dealers and potential PosiCharge customers,
adversely affecting our revenue and prospects. Additionally, we rely on outside service providers
to perform post-sale services for our PosiCharge customers. If these service providers fail to
perform these services as required or discontinue their business with us, then we could lose
customers to competitors, which would harm our business, financial condition and operating results.
We work in international locations where there are high security risks, which could result in harm
to our employees and contractors or substantial costs.
Some of our services are performed in high-risk locations, such as Iraq and Afghanistan,
where the country or location is suffering from political, social or economic issues, or war or
civil unrest. For example, we currently maintain a forward operating depot in Iraq, located in a
U.S. government installation and typically staffed by two or three of our employees. In addition,
we have occasionally had one trainer stationed in Kuwait and are obligated, pursuant to one of our
contracts, to provide overseas support personnel as needed. Last year, pursuant to this contract,
we had three trainers stationed overseas for a period of 30 days. In those locations where we have
employees or operations, we may incur substantial costs to maintain the safety of our personnel.
Despite these precautions, the safety of our personnel in these locations may continue to be at
risk, and we may in the future suffer the loss of employees and contractors, which could harm our
business and operating results.
We may not be able to obtain capital when desired on favorable terms, if at all, or without
dilution to our stockholders.
We operate in emerging and rapidly evolving markets, which makes our prospects difficult
to evaluate. It is possible that we may not generate sufficient cash flow from operations or
otherwise have the capital resources to meet our future capital needs. If this occurs, then we may
need additional financing to pursue our business strategies, including to:
hire additional engineers and other personnel;
develop new or enhance existing products;
enhance our operating infrastructure;
fund working capital requirements;
acquire complementary businesses or technologies; or
otherwise respond to competitive pressures.
32
If we raise additional funds through the issuance of equity or convertible debt
securities, the percentage ownership of our stockholders could be significantly diluted, and these
newly-issued securities may have rights, preferences or privileges senior to those of existing
stockholders, including those acquiring shares in this offering. We cannot assure you that
additional financing will be available on terms favorable to us, or at all. Our existing line of
credit contains, and future debt financing may contain, covenants or other provisions that limit
our operational or financial flexibility. In addition, certain of our customers require that we
obtain letters of credit to support our obligations under some of our contracts. Our existing
letter-of-credit provider requires that we hold cash in an amount equal to the amount of our
outstanding letters of credit as collateral. Continued access to letters of credit may be important
to our ability to regain and win contracts in the future. If adequate funds are not available or
are not available on acceptable terms, if and when needed, then our ability to fund our operations,
take advantage of unanticipated opportunities, develop or enhance our products, or otherwise
respond to competitive pressures would be significantly limited.
Our international business poses potentially greater risks than our domestic business.
We derived an average of 3.7% of our revenue from international sales during the three
fiscal years ended April 30, 2006, and in the nine months ended
January 27, 2007, we derived 5.7%
of our revenue from international sales. We expect to derive an increasing portion of our revenue
from international sales. Our international revenue and operations are subject to a number of
material risks, including the following:
the unavailability of, or difficulties in obtaining any, necessary governmental
authorizations for the export of our UAS products to certain foreign jurisdictions;
changes in regulatory requirements that may adversely affect our ability to sell certain
products or repatriate profits to the United States;
the complexity and necessity of using foreign representatives and consultants;
difficulties in enforcing agreements and collecting receivables through foreign legal
systems and other relevant legal issues, including fewer legal protections for intellectual
property;
potential fluctuations in foreign economies and in the value of foreign currencies and
interest rates;
potential preferences by prospective customers to purchase from local (non-U.S.) sources;
general economic and political conditions in the markets in which we operate;
laws or regulations relating to non-U.S. military contracts that favor purchases from
non-U.S. manufacturers over U.S. manufacturers;
the imposition of tariffs, embargoes, export controls and other trade restrictions; and
different and changing legal and regulatory requirements in the jurisdictions in which we
currently operate or may operate in the future.
Negative developments in any of these areas in one or more countries could result in a
reduction in demand for our products, the cancellation or delay of orders already placed, threats
to our intellectual property, difficulty in collecting receivables and a higher cost of doing
business, any of which could negatively impact our business, financial condition or results of
operations. Moreover, our sales, including sales to customers outside the United States, are
denominated in dollars, and downward fluctuations in the value of foreign currencies relative to
the U.S. dollar may make our products more expensive than other products, which could harm our
business.
33
Potential future acquisitions could be difficult to integrate, divert the attention of key
personnel, disrupt our business, dilute stockholder value and impair our financial results.
We intend to consider strategic acquisitions that would add to our customer base,
technological capabilities or system offerings. Acquisitions involve numerous risks, any of which
could harm our business, including the following:
difficulties in integrating the operations, technologies, products, existing
contracts, accounting and personnel of the target company and realizing the anticipated synergies
of the combined businesses;
difficulties in supporting and transitioning customers, if any, of the target company;
diversion of financial and management resources from existing operations;
the price we pay or other resources that we devote may exceed the value we realize, or the
value we could have realized if we had allocated the purchase price or other resources to another
opportunity;
risks of entering new markets in which we have limited or no experience;
potential loss of key employees, customers and strategic alliances from either our current
business or the target companys business;
assumption of unanticipated problems or latent liabilities, such as problems with the
quality of the target companys products; and
inability to generate sufficient revenue to offset acquisition costs.
Acquisitions also frequently result in the recording of goodwill and other intangible
assets which are subject to potential impairments in the future that could harm our financial
results. In addition, if we finance acquisitions by issuing equity, or securities convertible into
equity, then our existing stockholders may be diluted, which could lower the market price of our
common stock. If we finance acquisitions through debt, then such future debt financing may contain
covenants or other provisions that limit our operational or financial flexibility. As a result, if
we fail to properly evaluate acquisitions or investments, then we may not achieve the anticipated
benefits of any such acquisitions, and we may incur costs in excess of what we anticipate. The
failure to successfully evaluate and execute acquisitions or investments or otherwise adequately
address these risks could materially harm our business and financial results.
Environmental laws and regulations and unforeseen costs could impact our future earnings.
The manufacture and sale of our products in certain states and countries may subject us
to environmental and other regulations. For example, we obtain a significant number of our
electronics components from companies located in East Asia, where environmental rules may be less
stringent than in the United States. Over time, the countries where these companies are located may
adopt more stringent environmental regulations, resulting in an increase in our manufacturing
costs. Furthermore, certain environmental laws, including the U.S. Comprehensive, Environmental
Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, impose strict, joint and several liability on
current and previous owners or operators of real property for the cost of removal or remediation of
hazardous substances and impose liability for damages to natural resources. These laws often impose
liability even if the owner or operator did not know of, or was not responsible for, the release of
such hazardous substances. These environmental laws also assess liability on persons who arrange
for hazardous substances to be sent to disposal or treatment facilities when such facilities are
found to be contaminated. Such persons can be responsible for cleanup costs even if they never
owned or operated the contaminated facility. Although we have not yet been named a responsible
party at a contaminated site, we could be named a potentially responsible party in the future. We
cannot assure you that such existing laws or future laws will not have a material adverse effect on
our future earnings or results of operations.
Our business and operations are subject to the risks of earthquakes and other natural
catastrophic events.
Our corporate headquarters, research and development and manufacturing operations are
located in Southern California, a region known for seismic activity and wild fires. A significant
natural disaster, such as an earthquake, fire or other catastrophic event, could severely affect
our ability to conduct normal
34
business operations, and as a result, our future operating results could be materially and
adversely affected.
Risks Related to Our U.S. Government Contracts
We are subject to extensive government regulation, and our failure to comply with applicable
regulations could subject us to penalties that may restrict our ability to conduct our business.
As a contractor to the U.S. government, we are subject to and must comply with various
government regulations that impact our revenue, operating costs, profit margins and the internal
organization and operation of our business. The most significant regulations and regulatory
authorities affecting our business include the following:
the Federal Acquisition Regulations and supplemental agency regulations, which
comprehensively regulate the formation and administration of, and performance under, U.S.
government contracts;
the Truth in Negotiations Act, which requires certification and disclosure of all factual
cost and pricing data in connection with contract negotiations;
the False Claims Act and the False Statements Act, which impose penalties for payments made
on the basis of false facts provided to the government and on the basis of false statements made to
the government, respectively;
the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which prohibits U.S. companies from providing anything
of value to a foreign official to help obtain, retain or direct business, or obtain any unfair
advantage;
the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the Federal
Communications Commission, which regulate the wireless spectrum allocations upon which UAS depend
for operation and data transmission in the United States;
the Federal Aviation Administration, which is in the process of drafting regulations
specifically for small UAS operation in the United States;
the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, which regulate the export of controlled
technical data, defense articles and defense services and restrict from which countries we may
purchase materials and services used in the production of certain of our products; and
laws, regulations and executive orders restricting the use and dissemination of information
classified for national security purposes and the exportation of certain products and technical
data.
Also, we need special security clearances and regulatory approvals to continue working on
certain of our projects with the U.S. government. Classified programs generally will require that
we comply with various executive orders, federal laws and regulations and customer security
requirements that may include restrictions on how we develop, store, protect and share information,
and may require our employees to obtain government security clearances. Our failure to comply with
applicable regulations, rules and approvals or misconduct by any of our employees could result in
the imposition of fines and penalties, the loss of security clearances, the loss of our government
contracts or our suspension or debarment from contracting with the U.S. government generally, any
of which would harm our business, financial condition and results of operations. We are also
subject to certain regulations of comparable government agencies in other countries, and our
failure to comply with these non-U.S. regulations could also harm our business, financial condition
or results of operations.
Our business could be adversely affected by a negative audit by the U.S. government.
U.S. government agencies, primarily the Defense Contract Audit Agency and the Defense
Contract Management Agency, routinely audit and investigate government contractors. These agencies
review a contractors performance under its contracts, cost structure and compliance with
applicable laws, regulations and standards. These agencies also may review the adequacy of, and a
contractors compliance with, its internal control systems and policies, including the contractors
purchasing, property, estimating, compensation and management information systems. Any costs found
to be improperly
35
allocated to a specific contract will not be reimbursed, while such costs already reimbursed
must be refunded. If an audit of our business were to uncover improper or illegal activities, then
we could be subject to civil and criminal penalties and administrative sanctions, including
termination of contracts, forfeiture of profits, suspension of payments, fines and suspension or
prohibition from doing business with the U.S. government. In addition, we could suffer serious harm
to our reputation if allegations of impropriety or illegal acts were made against us, even if the
allegations were inaccurate. If any of the foregoing were to occur, our financial condition and
operating results could be materially adversely affected.
We were recently audited by the DCMA with respect to our system for the care, control and
accountability of government property. The DCMA identified certain corrective actions to be taken
with respect to our system, which we have implemented. Although we successfully implemented these
corrective actions, we cannot assure you that the DCMA will not require additional corrective
actions in the future. The failure to comply with requirements for government contractors in the
future would adversely affect our ability to do business with the U.S. government and could harm
our business and operating results.
Some of our contracts with the U.S. government allow it to use inventions developed under the
contracts and to disclose technical data to third parties, which could harm our ability to compete.
Some of our contracts allow the U.S. government to use, royalty-free, or have others use,
inventions developed under those contracts on behalf of the government. Some of the contracts allow
the federal government to disclose technical data without constraining the recipient on how those
data are used. The ability of third parties to use patents and technical data for government
purposes creates the possibility that the government could attempt to establish alternative
suppliers or to negotiate with us to reduce our prices. The potential that the government may
release some of the technical data without constraint creates the possibility that third parties
may be able to use this data to compete with us, which could have a material adverse effect on our
business, results of operations or financial condition.
U.S. government contracts are generally not fully funded at inception and contain certain
provisions that may be unfavorable to us, which could prevent us from realizing our contract
backlog and materially harm our business and results of operations.
DoD contracts typically involve long lead times for design and development, and are
subject to significant changes in contract scheduling. Congress generally appropriates funds on a
fiscal year basis even though a program may continue for several years. Consequently, programs are
often only partially funded initially, and additional funds are committed only as Congress makes
further appropriations. The termination or reduction of funding for a government program would
result in a loss of anticipated future revenue attributable to that program.
As of January 27, 2007, we had funded U.S. government contract backlog of $43.2 million and
estimated unfunded U.S. government contract backlog of $531.5 million. The actual receipt of
revenue on awards included in backlog may never occur or may change because a program schedule
could change or the program could be canceled, or a contract could be reduced, modified or
terminated early.
In addition, U.S. government contracts generally contain provisions permitting termination, in
whole or in part, at the governments convenience or for contractor default. Since a substantial
majority of our revenue is dependent on the procurement, performance and payment under our U.S.
government contracts, the termination of one or more critical government contracts could have a
negative impact on our results of operations and financial condition. Termination arising out of
our default could expose us to liability and have a material adverse effect on our ability to
re-compete for future contracts and orders. Moreover, several of our contracts with the U.S.
government do not contain a limitation of liability provision, creating a risk of responsibility
for indirect, incidental damages and consequential damages. These provisions could cause
substantial liability for us, especially given the use to which our products may be put.
36
U.S. government contracts are subject to a competitive bidding process that can consume
significant resources without generating any revenue.
U.S. government contracts are frequently awarded only after formal, protracted
competitive bidding processes and, in many cases, unsuccessful bidders for U.S. government
contracts are provided the opportunity to protest contract awards through various agency,
administrative and judicial channels. We derive significant revenue from U.S. government contracts
that were awarded through a competitive bidding process. Much of the UAS business that we expect to
seek in the foreseeable future likely will be awarded through competitive bidding. Competitive
bidding presents a number of risks, including the following:
the need to bid on programs in advance of the completion of their design, which may
result in unforeseen technological difficulties and cost overruns;
the substantial cost and managerial time and effort that must be spent to prepare bids and
proposals for contracts that may not be awarded to us;
the need to estimate accurately the resources and cost structure that will be required to
service any contract we are awarded; and
the expense and delay that may arise if our competitors protest or challenge contract
awards made to us pursuant to competitive bidding, and the risk that any such protest or challenge
could result in the delay of our contract performance, the distraction of management, the
resubmission of bids on modified specifications, or in termination, reduction or modification of
the awarded contract.
We may not be provided the opportunity to bid on contracts that are held by other
companies and are scheduled to expire if the government extends the existing contract. If we are
unable to win particular contracts that are awarded through a competitive bidding process, then we
may not be able to operate in the market for goods and services that are provided under those
contracts for a number of years. If we are unable to win new contract awards over any extended
period consistently, then our business and prospects will be adversely affected.
Risks Related to Our Intellectual Property
If we fail to protect, or incur significant costs in defending, our intellectual property and
other proprietary rights, our business and results of operations could be materially harmed.
Our success depends, in large part, on our ability to protect our intellectual property
and other proprietary rights. We rely primarily on patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets
and unfair competition laws, as well as license agreements and other contractual provisions, to
protect our intellectual property and other proprietary rights. However, a significant portion of
our technology is not patented, and we may be unable or may not seek to obtain patent protection
for this technology. Moreover, existing U.S. legal standards relating to the validity,
enforceability and scope of protection of intellectual property rights offer only limited
protection, may not provide us with any competitive advantages, and may be challenged by third
parties. The laws of countries other than the United States may be even less protective of
intellectual property rights. Accordingly, despite our efforts, we may be unable to prevent third
parties from infringing upon or misappropriating our intellectual property or otherwise gaining
access to our technology. Unauthorized third parties may try to copy or reverse engineer our
products or portions of our products or otherwise obtain and use our intellectual property.
Moreover, many of our employees have access to our trade secrets and other intellectual property.
If one or more of these employees leave us to work for one of our competitors, then they may
disseminate this proprietary information, which may as a result damage our competitive position. If
we fail to protect our intellectual property and other proprietary rights, then our business,
results of operations or financial condition could be materially harmed.
In addition, affirmatively defending our intellectual property rights and investigating
whether we are pursuing a product or service development that may violate the rights of others may
entail significant expense. We have not found it necessary to resort to legal proceedings to
protect our intellectual
37
property, but may find it necessary to do so in the future. Any of our intellectual property
rights may be challenged by others or invalidated through administrative processes or litigation.
If we resort to legal proceedings to enforce our intellectual property rights or to determine the
validity and scope of the intellectual property or other proprietary rights of others, then the
proceedings could result in significant expense to us and divert the attention and efforts of our
management and technical employees, even if we prevail.
We may be sued by third parties for alleged infringement of their proprietary rights, which could
be costly, time-consuming and limit our ability to use certain technologies in the future.
We may become subject to claims that our technologies infringe upon the intellectual
property or other proprietary rights of third parties. Any claims, with or without merit, could be
time-consuming and expensive, and could divert our managements attention away from the execution
of our business plan. Moreover, any settlement or adverse judgment resulting from these claims
could require us to pay substantial amounts or obtain a license to continue to use the disputed
technology, or otherwise restrict or prohibit our use of the technology. We cannot assure you that
we would be able to obtain a license from the third party asserting the claim on commercially
reasonable terms, if at all, that we would be able to develop alternative technology on a timely
basis, if at all, or that we would be able to obtain a license to use a suitable alternative
technology to permit us to continue offering, and our customers to continue using, our affected
product. An adverse determination also could prevent us from offering our products to others.
Infringement claims asserted against us may have a material adverse effect on our business, results
of operations or financial condition.
Risks Relating to Securities Markets and Investment in Our Stock
Our common stock has only been publicly traded since January 23, 2007 and the price of our common
stock may fluctuate significantly.
There has only been a public market for our common stock since January 23, 2007. The market
prices for securities of emerging technology companies have historically been highly volatile, and
the market has from time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that are
unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. The market price of our common
stock may fluctuate significantly in response to a number of factors, most of which we cannot
control, including the following:
U.S. government spending levels, both generally and by our particular customers;
The volume of operational activity by the U.S. military;
delays in the payment of our invoices by government payment offices, resulting in
potentially reduced earnings during a particular fiscal quarter;
announcements of new products or technologies, commercial relationships or other events
relating to us or our industry or our competitors;
failure of any of our key products to gain market acceptance;
variations in our quarterly operating results;
perceptions of the prospects for the markets in which we compete;
changes in general economic conditions;
changes in securities analysts estimates of our financial performance;
regulatory developments in the United States and foreign countries;
fluctuations in stock market prices and trading volumes of similar companies;
news about the markets in which we compete or regarding our competitors;
terrorist acts or military action related to international conflicts, wars or otherwise;
sales of large blocks of our common stock, including sales by our executive officers,
directors and significant stockholders; and
additions or departures of key personnel.
38
In addition, the equity markets in general, and Nasdaq in particular, have experienced extreme
price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating
performance of those companies. Further, the market prices of securities of emerging technology
companies have been particularly volatile. These broad market and industry factors may affect the
market price of our common stock adversely, regardless of our operating performance. In the past,
following periods of volatility in the market price of a companys securities, securities class
action litigation often has been instituted against that company. This type of litigation, if
instituted against us, could result in substantial costs and a diversion of managements attention
and resources.
Our management, whose interests may not be aligned with yours, is able to control the vote on all
matters requiring stockholder approval.
As of January 27, 2007, our directors, executive officers and their affiliates
collectively beneficially owned 10,590,054 shares, or 56.1%, of our total
outstanding shares of common stock. Accordingly, our directors and executive officers as a group
may control the vote on all matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of
directors. The interests of our directors and executive officers may not be fully aligned with
yours. Although there is no agreement among our directors and executive officers with respect to
the voting of their shares, this concentration of ownership may delay, defer or even prevent a
change in control of our company, and make transactions more difficult or impossible without the
support of all or some of our directors and executive officers. These transactions might include
proxy contests, tender offers, mergers or other purchases of common stock that could give you the
opportunity to realize a premium over the then-prevailing market price for shares of our common
stock.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Use of Proceeds from Initial Public Offering
The SEC declared our Registration Statement on Form S-1 effective on January 22, 2007. The
underwriters were Goldman, Sachs & Co., Friedman, Billings, Ramsey & Co., Inc., Jefferies
Quarterdeck, a division of Jefferies & Company, Inc., Raymond James & Associates, Inc., Stifel,
Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated and Thomas Weisel Partners LLC.
We completed our initial public offering on January 26, 2007. All 7,705,000 shares of common
stock registered under the Registration Statement, which consisted of 5,252,285 shares of common
stock offered by us and 2,452,715 shares offered by certain of our stockholders, were sold at a
price to the public of $17.00 per share.
The aggregate estimated net proceeds to us were $80.5 million, after deducting payment of
underwriters discounts and commissions and offering expenses. We have used a portion of the net
proceeds to fund working capital and other general corporate purposes. The use of proceeds does
not represent a material change from the use of proceeds described in the final prospectus we filed
pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with the SEC on January 23,
2007.
In October, 2006, we repurchased 7,038 shares of our common stock from an individual upon
termination of his employment pursuant to the terms of a repurchase agreement. The shares were
repurchased for $2.37 per share. The transaction was processed as a same-day sale, and we recorded
compensation expense of $12,000.
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
39
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
On November 16, 2006, our stockholders holding a majority of shares then outstanding adopted
resolutions by written consent authorizing our reincorporation in Delaware. The results of the
voting for the stockholders who returned written consents to us is as follows:
For: 1,935,289 shares
Against: none
On January 16, 2007, our stockholders holding a majority of shares then outstanding adopted
resolutions by written consent authorizing (a) the adoption of our certificate of incorporation,
bylaws and 2006 Equity Incentive Plan, (b) the classification of our board of directors and (c)
entering into indemnification agreements with our directors, executive officers and key employees.
The results of the voting for the stockholders who returned written consents to us is as follows:
For: 10,255,061 shares
Against: none
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
|
|
|
Exhibit Number |
|
Description |
3 .1
|
|
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of AeroVironment, Inc. |
3 .2
|
|
Amended and Restated Bylaws of AeroVironment, Inc. |
31.1
|
|
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer, as required by Section 302 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
31.2
|
|
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer, as required by Section 302 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
32.1*
|
|
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer, as required by Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
32.2*
|
|
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer, as required by Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
|
|
|
* |
|
These certifications are being furnished solely to accompany this
quarterly report pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, and are not being
filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act and are not to be
incorporated by reference into any filing of AeroVironment, Inc.,
whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any
general incorporation language in such filing. |
40
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has
duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
|
|
|
|
|
Date: March 9, 2007 |
AEROVIRONMENT, INC.
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Timothy E. Conver
|
|
|
|
Timothy E. Conver |
|
|
|
Chief Executive Officer and President
(Principal Executive Officer) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Stephen C. Wright
|
|
|
|
Stephen C. Wright |
|
|
|
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial
and Accounting Officer) |
|
41
exv3w1
Exhibit 3.1
AMENDED AND RESTATED
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
AEROVIRONMENT, INC.
AeroVironment, Inc. (the Corporation), a corporation organized and existing under and by
virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the DGCL), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:
1. The name of the Corporation is AeroVironment, Inc. A Certificate of Merger whereby
AeroVironment, Inc., a California corporation, was merged with and into the corporation was filed
with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on December 6, 2006.
2. That by action taken by the Board of Directors at a meeting held on December 15, 2006
resolutions were duly adopted setting forth a proposed amendment and restatement of the Certificate
of Incorporation of the Corporation, declaring said amendment and restatement to be advisable and
directing its officers to submit said amendment and restatement to the stockholders of the
Corporation for consideration thereof. The resolution setting forth the proposed amendment and
restatement is as follows:
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation is hereby
amended to read in its entirety as follows, subject to the required consent of the stockholders of
the Corporation:
FIRST: The name of the Corporation (hereinafter the Corporation) is AeroVironment,
Inc.
SECOND: The address, including street, number, city and county, of the registered
office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, in the City
of Wilmington, County of New Castle; and the name of the Registered Agent of the Corporation at
such address is Corporation Service Company.
THIRD: The nature of the business or purposes to be conducted or promoted is to engage
in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation
Law of the State of Delaware (the DGCL).
FOURTH: The Corporation is authorized to issue two classes of stock to be designated,
respectively, Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (Common Stock) and Preferred Stock, par
value $0.0001 per share (Preferred Stock). The total number of shares the Corporation shall have
the authority to issue is one hundred ten million (110,000,000) shares, one hundred million (100,000,000) shares of which
shall be Common Stock and ten million (10,000,000) shares of which shall be Preferred Stock.
(1) Common Stock. The voting, dividend and liquidation rights of the holders of the Common
Stock are subject to and qualified by the rights of the holders of the Preferred Stock of any
series as may be designated by the Board of Directors upon any issuance of the Preferred Stock or
any series. The holders of the Common Stock are entitled to one vote for each share held at all
meetings of stockholders. There shall be no cumulative voting. Dividends may be declared and paid
on the Common Stock from funds lawfully available therefor as and when determined by the Board of
Directors and subject to any preferential dividend rights of any then outstanding Preferred Stock.
Upon the dissolution or liquidation of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, holders of the
Corporation will be
1
entitled to receive ratably all assets of the Corporation available for
distribution to stockholders, subject to any preferential rights of any then outstanding Preferred
Stock.
(2) Preferred Stock. Shares of Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more
series, each of such series to have such terms as stated in the resolution or resolutions providing
for the establishment of such series adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation as
hereinafter provided. Authority is hereby expressly granted to the Board of Directors of the
Corporation to issue, from time to time, shares of Preferred Stock in one or more series, and, in
connection with the establishment of any such series by resolution or resolutions, to determine and
fix such voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, and such other powers, designations,
preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights, and the qualifications,
limitations and restrictions thereof, if any, including, without limitation, dividend rights,
conversion rights, redemption privileges and liquidation preferences, as shall be stated in such
resolution or resolutions, all to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, the resolution or resolutions providing for the establishment of any
series of Preferred Stock may, to the extent permitted by law, provide that such series shall be
superior to, rank equally with or be junior to the Preferred Stock of any other series. The
powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights of each series
of Preferred Stock, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, if any, may be
different from those of any and all other series at any time outstanding. Except as otherwise
expressly provided in the resolution or resolutions providing for the establishment of any series
of Preferred Stock, no vote of the holders of shares of Preferred Stock or Common Stock shall be a
prerequisite to the issuance of any shares of any series of the Preferred Stock authorized by and
complying with the conditions of this Certificate of Incorporation.
FIFTH: (1) The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under
the direction of a Board of Directors having that number of directors set out in the Bylaws of the
Corporation as adopted or as set forth from time to time by a duly adopted amendment thereto by the
Board of Directors or stockholders of the Corporation.
(2) No director (other than directors elected by one or more series of Preferred Stock) may be
removed from office by the stockholders except for cause and, in addition to any other vote
required by law, upon the affirmative vote of not less than 66⅔% of the total voting power of all
outstanding securities of the Corporation then entitled to vote generally in the election of
directors, voting together as a single class.
(3) The directors of the Corporation, other than directors elected by one or more series of
Preferred Stock, shall be divided into three classes, designated Class I, Class II and Class III.
Each class shall consist, as nearly as may be possible, of one-third of the total number of
directors (other than directors elected by one or more series of Preferred Stock) constituting the
entire Board of Directors. Each director (other than directors elected by one or more series of
Preferred Stock) shall serve for a term ending on the date of the third annual meeting of
stockholders next following the annual meeting at which such director was elected, provided that
directors initially designated as Class I directors shall serve for a term ending on the date of
the 2007 annual meeting, directors initially designated as Class II directors shall serve for a
term ending on the date of the 2008 annual meeting and directors initially designated as Class III
directors shall serve for a term ending on the date of the 2009 annual meeting. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, each director shall hold office until such directors successor shall have been duly
elected and qualified or until such directors earlier death, resignation or
removal. If the number of directors (other than directors elected by one or more series of Preferred Stock) is changed,
any increase or decrease shall be apportioned among the classes so as to maintain the number of directors in
each class as nearly equal as possible, but in no event will a decrease in the number of directors
shorten the term of any incumbent director. Vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from
death, resignation, removal or
2
otherwise and newly created directorships resulting from any
increase in the number of directors (other than directors elected by one or more series of
Preferred Stock) may be filled solely by a vote of a majority of the directors then in office
(although less than a quorum) or by a sole remaining director, and each director so elected shall
hold office for a term that shall coincide with the remaining term of the class to which such
director shall have been elected. Whenever the holders of one or more classes or series of
Preferred Stock shall have the right, voting separately as a class or series, to elect directors,
the nomination, election, term of office, filling of vacancies, removal and other features of such
directorships shall not be governed by this Article FIFTH unless otherwise provided for in the
certificate of designation for such classes or series.
SIXTH: The Corporation is to have perpetual existence.
SEVENTH: The following provisions are inserted for the management of the business and
the conduct of the affairs of the Corporation and for the further definition of the powers of the
Corporation and its directors and stockholders:
(1) The Board of Directors is expressly authorized to make, adopt, amend, alter, rescind or
repeal the Bylaws of the Corporation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the stockholders may adopt,
amend, alter, rescind or repeal the Bylaws with, in addition to any other vote required by law, the
affirmative vote of the holders of not less than 66⅔% of the total voting power of all outstanding
securities of the Corporation then entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting
together as a single class.
(2) Elections of directors need not be by written ballot unless the Bylaws of the Corporation
so provide.
(3) Any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of
stockholders may be taken only upon the vote of stockholders at an annual or special meeting duly
noticed and called in accordance with the DGCL and may not be taken by written consent of
stockholders without a meeting.
(4) Special meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation for any purpose or purposes may be
called at any time by the Chairman of the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer or at
the written request of a majority of the members of the Board of Directors and may not be called by
any other person; provided, however, that if and to the extent that any special
meeting of stockholders may be called by any other person or persons specified in any provisions of
the Certificate of Incorporation or any amendment thereto or any certificate filed under Section
151(g) of the DGCL, then such special meeting may also be called by the person or persons, in the
manner, at the times and for the purposes so specified.
EIGHTH: (1) Subject to Article EIGHTH (3), the Corporation shall indemnify and hold
harmless any person who is or was a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened,
pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the Corporation) by reason of the fact
that he or she is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the
request of the Corporation as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys
fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or
her in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he or she acted in
good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit
or proceeding by judgment,
3
order, settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its
equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith
and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests
of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to
believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.
(2) Subject to Article EIGHTH (3), the Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless any
person who is or was a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or
completed action or suit by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor
by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, or is or
was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director or officer of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise against expenses
(including attorneys fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with the
defense or settlement of such action or suit if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or
she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation; except
that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such
person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Corporation unless and only to the extent that
the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or the court in which such action or suit was
brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of
all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for
such expenses which the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or such other court shall deem
proper.
(3) Any indemnification under this Article EIGHTH (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by
the Corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification
of the director or officer or other person entitled to indemnification under this Article EIGHTH is
proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth
in Article EIGHTH (1) or Article EIGHTH (2), as the case may be. Such determination shall be made,
with respect to an officer or director, (i) by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of
directors who were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even if constituting less than a
quorum, (ii) by a committee of directors who were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding
even if constituting less than a quorum, (iii) if there are no such directors, or if such directors
so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion or (iv) by the stockholders. To the
extent, however, that a present or former director or officer of the Corporation has been
successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in
Article EIGHTH (1) or Article EIGHTH (2), or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he
or she shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys fees) actually and reasonably
incurred by him or her in connection therewith, without the necessity of authorization in the
specific case.
(4) Notwithstanding any contrary determination in the specific case under Article EIGHTH (3),
and notwithstanding the absence of any determination thereunder, any present or former director or
officer of the Corporation may apply to the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware for
indemnification to the extent otherwise permissible under Article EIGHTH (1) and Article EIGHTH
(2). The basis of such indemnification by a court shall be a determination by such court that
indemnification of such person is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the
applicable standards of conduct set forth in Article EIGHTH (1) or Article EIGHTH (2), as the case
may be. Neither a contrary determination in the specific case under Article EIGHTH (3) nor the
absence of any determination thereunder shall be a defense to such application or create a
presumption that such person seeking
indemnification has not met any applicable standard of conduct. Notice of any application for
indemnification pursuant to this Article EIGHTH (4) shall be given to the Corporation promptly upon
the filing of such application. If successful, in whole or in part, such person seeking
indemnification in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall also be entitled to be paid
the expense of prosecuting such application.
4
(5) Expenses incurred by a person who is or was a director or officer of the Corporation in
defending or investigating a threatened or pending action, suit or proceeding shall be paid by the
Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of
an undertaking by or on behalf of such person to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be
determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized in
this Article EIGHTH.
(6) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by or granted pursuant to this
Article EIGHTH shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking
indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, contract,
vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or pursuant to the direction (howsoever embodied)
of any court of competent jurisdiction or otherwise, both as to action in his or her official
capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office, it being the policy of the
Corporation that indemnification of the persons specified in Article EIGHTH (1) and Article EIGHTH
(2) shall be made to the fullest extent permitted by law. The provisions of this Article EIGHTH
shall not be deemed to preclude the indemnification of any person who is not specified in Article
EIGHTH (1) or Article EIGHTH (2) but whom the Corporation has the power or obligation to indemnify
under the provisions of the DGCL or otherwise.
(7) The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was
a director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as
a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust,
employee benefit plan or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him or her and
incurred by him or her in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether
or not the Corporation would have the power or the obligation to indemnify him or her against such
liability under the provisions of this Article EIGHTH or Section 145 of the DGCL.
(8) For purposes of this Article EIGHTH, references to the Corporation shall include, in
addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a
constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued,
would have had the power and authority to indemnify its directors or officers, so that any person
who is or was a director or officer of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the
request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, shall
stand in the same position under the provisions of this Article EIGHTH with respect to the
resulting or surviving corporation as he or she would have with respect to such constituent
corporation if its separate existence had continued. For purposes of this Article EIGHTH,
references to fines shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an
employee benefit plan; and references to serving at the request of the Corporation shall include
any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation which imposes duties on,
or involves services by, such person with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or
beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed
to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be
deemed to have acted in a manner not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation as referred
to in this Article EIGHTH. For purposes of any determination under Article EIGHTH (3), a person
shall be deemed to have acted in good faith in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or
not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, or, with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, to have had no reasonable cause to believe his or her
conduct was unlawful, if his or her action is based on the records or books of account of the
Corporation or another enterprise, or on information supplied to him or her by the officers of the
Corporation or another enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel
for the Corporation or another enterprise or on information or records given or reports made to the
Corporation or another enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser
or other expert selected with reasonable care by the Corporation or another enterprise. The term
another enterprise as used in this
5
Article EIGHTH (8) shall mean any other corporation or any
partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise of which such person
is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent. The
provisions of this Article EIGHTH (8) shall not be deemed to be exclusive, or to limit in any way,
the circumstances in which a person may be deemed to have met the applicable standard of conduct
set forth in Article EIGHTH (1) or (2), as the case may be.
(9) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this
Article EIGHTH shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a
person who has ceased to be a director or officer of the Corporation and shall inure to the benefit
of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.
(10) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Article EIGHTH to the contrary, except for
proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification (which shall be governed by Article EIGHTH (4)),
the Corporation shall not be obligated to indemnify any person in connection with a proceeding (or
part, thereof) initiated by such person unless such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized or
consented to by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
(11) The Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board of
Directors, provide rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses to employees and
agents of the Corporation similar to those conferred in this Article EIGHTH to directors and
officers of the Corporation.
NINTH: A director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation
or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, provided that
this Article shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director (i) for any breach of his or
her duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good
faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law, (iii) under
Section 174 of the DGCL or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derives an improper
personal benefit.
If the DGCL is hereafter amended to authorize corporate action further limiting or eliminating
the personal liability of directors, then the liability of the director to the Corporation shall be
limited or eliminated to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as so amended from time to time.
Any amendment, repeal or modification of this Article shall be prospective only, and shall not
adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation under this Article NINTH
in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such amendment, repeal or
modification.
TENTH: Each reference in this Certificate of Incorporation to any provision of the
DGCL refers to the specified provision of the DGCL, as the same now exists or as it may hereafter
be amended or superseded.
ELEVENTH: The Corporation reserves the right at any time and from time to time to
amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation, in the
manner now or hereafter prescribed by the laws of the State of Delaware; and all rights conferred
on stockholders, directors or any other persons herein are granted subject to this reservation;
provided, however, that no amendment, alteration, change or repeal may be made to Article FIFTH,
SEVENTH, EIGHTH, NINTH
or ELEVENTH without the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66⅔% of the outstanding
voting stock of the corporation, voting together as a single class.
3. That said Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation has been consented to and
authorized by the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding stock entitled to vote in
accordance with the provisions of Section 228 of the DGCL.
6
4. That said Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation was duly adopted in accordance
with the applicable provisions of Sections 228, 242 and 245 of the DGCL.
7
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, AeroVironment, Inc. has caused this Certificate to be signed by Timothy E.
Conver, its Chief Executive Officer and Stephen C. Wright, its Chief Financial Officer, this
26th day of January 2007.
|
|
|
|
|
|
AeroVironment, Inc.,
a Delaware corporation
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Timothy E. Conver |
|
|
|
Name: |
Timothy E. Conver |
|
|
|
|
|
|
ATTEST
|
|
|
/s/ Stephen C. Wright |
|
|
Name: |
Stephen C. Wright |
|
|
|
Title: |
Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
|
|
8
exv3w2
Exhibit 3.2
AMENDED AND RESTATED
BYLAWS
OF
AEROVIRONMENT, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PAGE |
|
ARTICLE I. OFFICES |
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 1. |
|
REGISTERED OFFICES. |
|
3 |
|
|
Section 2. |
|
OTHER OFFICES. |
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE II. MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS |
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 1. |
|
PLACE OF MEETINGS. |
|
3 |
|
|
Section 2. |
|
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS. |
|
3 |
|
|
Section 3. |
|
QUORUM; ADJOURNED MEETINGS AND NOTICE THEREOF. |
|
3 |
|
|
Section 4. |
|
VOTING. |
|
3 |
|
|
Section 5. |
|
PROXIES. |
|
4 |
|
|
Section 6. |
|
SPECIAL MEETINGS. |
|
4 |
|
|
Section 7. |
|
NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDERS MEETINGS. |
|
4 |
|
|
Section 8. |
|
FIXING DATE FOR DETERMINATION OF STOCKHOLDERS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
OF RECORD. |
|
5 |
|
|
Section 9. |
|
NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDER BUSINESS AND NOMINATIONS. |
|
5 |
|
|
Section 10. |
|
MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF STOCKHOLDER LIST. |
|
8 |
|
|
Section 11. |
|
STOCKHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT |
|
|
|
|
|
|
A MEETING. |
|
8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE III. DIRECTORS |
|
8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 1. |
|
THE NUMBER OF DIRECTORS. |
|
8 |
|
|
Section 2. |
|
VACANCIES. |
|
8 |
|
|
Section 3. |
|
POWERS. |
|
9 |
|
|
Section 4. |
|
PLACE OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS. |
|
9 |
|
|
Section 5. |
|
REGULAR MEETINGS. |
|
9 |
|
|
Section 6. |
|
SPECIAL MEETINGS. |
|
9 |
|
|
Section 7. |
|
QUORUM. |
|
9 |
|
|
Section 8. |
|
ACTION WITHOUT MEETING. |
|
9 |
|
|
Section 9. |
|
TELEPHONIC MEETINGS. |
|
9 |
|
|
Section 10. |
|
COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS. |
|
10 |
|
|
Section 11. |
|
MINUTES OF COMMITTEE MEETINGS. |
|
10 |
|
|
Section 12. |
|
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS. |
|
10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS |
|
10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 1. |
|
OFFICERS. |
|
10 |
|
|
Section 2. |
|
ELECTION OF OFFICERS. |
|
10 |
i
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PAGE |
|
|
|
Section 3. |
|
SUBORDINATE OFFICERS. |
|
11 |
|
|
Section 4. |
|
COMPENSATION OF OFFICERS. |
|
11 |
|
|
Section 5. |
|
TERM OF OFFICE; REMOVAL AND VACANCIES. |
|
11 |
|
|
Section 6. |
|
POWERS AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS. |
|
11 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE V. INDEMNIFICATION OF EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS |
|
11 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE VI. CERTIFICATES OF STOCK |
|
11 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 1. |
|
CERTIFICATES. |
|
11 |
|
|
Section 2. |
|
SIGNATURES ON CERTIFICATES. |
|
11 |
|
|
Section 3. |
|
STATEMENT OF STOCK RIGHTS, PREFERENCES, PRIVILEGES. |
|
12 |
|
|
Section 4. |
|
LOST CERTIFICATES. |
|
12 |
|
|
Section 5. |
|
TRANSFERS OF STOCK. |
|
12 |
|
|
Section 6. |
|
REGISTERED STOCKHOLDERS. |
|
12 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE VII. GENERAL PROVISIONS |
|
12 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 1. |
|
CHECKS. |
|
12 |
|
|
Section 2. |
|
FISCAL YEAR. |
|
12 |
|
|
Section 3. |
|
CORPORATE SEAL. |
|
13 |
|
|
Section 4. |
|
MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE. |
|
13 |
|
|
Section 5. |
|
WAIVER OF NOTICE. |
|
13 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE VIII. AMENDMENTS |
|
13 |
ii
AMENDED AND RESTATED
BYLAWS
OF
AEROVIRONMENT, INC.
ARTICLE I.
OFFICES
Section 1. REGISTERED OFFICES. The registered office shall be in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of
Delaware.
Section 2. OTHER OFFICES. The corporation may also have offices at such other places both within and without the State
of Delaware as the Board of Directors (the Board) may from time to time determine or the business
of the corporation may require.
ARTICLE II.
MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS
Section 1. PLACE OF MEETINGS. Meetings of stockholders shall be held at any place within or outside the State of Delaware
designated by the Board. In the absence of any such designation, stockholders meetings shall be
held at the principal executive office of the corporation.
Section 2. ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS. The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held each year on a date and time designated by
the Board. At each annual meeting directors shall be elected, and any other proper business may be
transacted.
Section 3. QUORUM; ADJOURNED MEETINGS AND NOTICE THEREOF. A majority of the stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at any meeting of
stockholders, the holders of which are present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute
a quorum for the transaction of business except as otherwise provided by law, by the Certificate of
Incorporation or by these Bylaws. A quorum, once established, shall not be broken by the withdrawal
of enough votes to leave less than a quorum, and the votes present may continue to transact
business until adjournment. If, however, such quorum shall not be present or represented at any
meeting of the stockholders, a majority of the voting stock represented in person or by proxy may
adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until
a quorum shall be present or represented. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be
present or represented, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the
meeting as originally notified. If the adjournment is for more than thirty days, or if after the
adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record
entitled to vote thereat.
Section 4. VOTING. When a quorum is present at any meeting, in all matters other than the election of directors,
the vote of the holders of a majority of the stock having voting power present in person or
represented by proxy and entitled to vote on a particular question shall decide such question
brought before such meeting, unless the question is one upon which by express provision of the
statutes, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, a different
3
vote is required in which case such express provision shall govern and control the decision of such question. Directors shall
be elected by a plurality of the votes of the stock present in person or represented by proxy at
the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors.
Section 5. PROXIES. At each meeting of the stockholders, each stockholder having the right to vote may vote in
person or may authorize another person or persons to act for him or her by proxy appointed by an
instrument in writing subscribed by such stockholder and bearing a date not more than three years
prior to said meeting, unless said instrument provides for a longer period. All proxies must be
filed with the Secretary of the corporation at the beginning of each meeting in order to be counted
in any vote at the meeting. Each stockholder shall have one vote for each share of stock having
voting power, registered in his name on the books of the corporation on the record date set by the
Board as provided in Article II, Section 8 hereof.
Section 6. SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the stockholders, for any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed
by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation, may be called by the Chairman of the Board or
the President and shall be called by the President or the Secretary at the request in writing of a
majority of the members of the Board. Business transacted at any special meeting of stockholders
shall be limited to the purposes stated in the notice.
Section 7. NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDERS MEETINGS. Whenever stockholders are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting, a written
notice of the meeting shall be given, which notice shall state the place, date and hour of the
meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is
called. The written notice of any meeting shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at
such meeting not less than ten nor more than sixty days before the date of the meeting. If mailed,
notice is deemed given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the
stockholder at his address as it appears on the records of the corporation.
4
Section 8. FIXING DATE FOR DETERMINATION OF STOCKHOLDERS OF RECORD. In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of, or to vote
at, any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to
exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of
any other lawful action, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the
date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board, and which record
date: (a) in the case of determination of stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of
stockholders or adjournment thereof, shall, unless otherwise required by law, not be more than
sixty nor less than ten days before the date of such meeting; and (b) in the case of any other
action, shall not be more than sixty days prior to such other action. If no record date is fixed:
(i) the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of
stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is
given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which
the meeting is held; and (ii) the record date for determining stockholders for any other purpose
shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution relating
thereto. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of, or to vote at, a meeting
of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board
may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.
Section 9. NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDER BUSINESS AND NOMINATIONS.
(a) Nominations of persons for election to the Board of the corporation and the proposal of
business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders (i)
pursuant to the corporations notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto), (ii) by or at the
direction of the Board or (iii) by any stockholder of the corporation who was a stockholder of
record at the time notice provided for in this Section 9 is given to the Secretary of the
corporation, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who complies with the notice procedures in
this Section 9.
(b) For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a
stockholder pursuant to clause (iii) of paragraph (a) of this Section 9, the stockholder must have
given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the corporation, and any such proposed
business other than the nominations of persons for election to the Board must constitute a proper
matter for stockholder action. To be timely, a stockholders notice shall be delivered to the
Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than the close of
business on the ninetieth day nor earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth
day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding years annual meeting; provided, however, that
in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than thirty days before or more than sixty
days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not
earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth day prior to such annual meeting
and not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth day prior to such annual
meeting or the tenth day following the earlier of (i) the day on which notice of the meeting was
mailed or (ii) the date public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the
corporation. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an
annual meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a
stockholders notice as described above. Such stockholders notice shall set forth:
5
(A) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a director, all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies
for election of directors in an election contest, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
Exchange Act), and Rule 14a-101 thereunder (including such persons written consent to being
named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected); (B) as to any
other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description of
the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the text of the proposal or business
(including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and, in the event that such
business includes a proposal to amend the Bylaws, the language of the proposed amendment), the
reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of
such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is
made; and (C) as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose
behalf the nomination or proposal is made, (I) the name and address of such stockholder and of such
beneficial owner, as they appear on the corporations books, (II) the class and number of shares of
capital stock of the corporation which are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and
such beneficial owner, (III) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of stock
of the corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at
the meeting to propose such business or nomination and (IV) a representation whether the
stockholder or the beneficial owner, if any, intends or is part of a group which intends (y) to
deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the
corporations outstanding capital stock required to approve or adopt the proposal or elect the
nominee and/or (z) otherwise to solicit proxies from stockholders in support of such proposal or
nomination. The foregoing notice requirements shall be deemed satisfied by a stockholder if the
stockholder has notified the corporation of his or her intention to present a proposal at an annual
meeting in compliance with Rule 14a-8 (or any successor thereof) promulgated under the Exchange Act
and such stockholders proposal has been included in a proxy statement that has been prepared by
the corporation to solicit proxies for such annual meeting. The corporation may require any
proposed nominee to furnish such other information as it may reasonably require to determine the
eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as a director of the corporation.
(c) Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have
been brought before the meeting pursuant to the corporations notice of meeting. Nominations of
persons for election to the Board may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which
directors are to be elected pursuant to the corporations notice of meeting (i) by or at the
direction of the Board or (ii) provided that the Board has determined that directors shall be
elected at such meeting, by any stockholder of the corporation who is a stockholder of record at
the time the notice provided for in this Section 9 is delivered to the Secretary of the
corporation, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who complies with the notice procedures set
forth in this Section 9. In the event the corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for
the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board, any such stockholder entitled to vote
in such election of directors may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be) for election to
such position(s) as specified in the corporations notice of meeting, if the stockholders notice
required by paragraph (b) of this Section 9 shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal
executive offices of the corporation not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred
twentieth day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later
of
6
(i) the ninetieth day prior to such special meeting or (ii) the tenth day following the day on
which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees
proposed by the Board to be elected at such meeting. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of a special meeting commence a new time period (or extend
any time period) for the giving of a stockholders notice as described above.
(d) (i) Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this
Section 9 shall be eligible to be elected at an annual or special meeting of stockholders of the
corporation to serve as directors, and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of
stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set
forth in this Section 9. Except as otherwise provided by law, the chairman of the meeting shall
have the power and duty (A) to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be
brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with the
procedures set forth in this Section 9 (including whether the stockholder or beneficial owner, if
any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made solicited (or is part of a group which
solicited) or did not so solicit, as the case may be, proxies in support of such stockholders
nominee or proposal in compliance with such stockholders representation as required by paragraph
(b) of this Section 9) and (B) if any proposed nomination or business was not made or proposed in
compliance with this Section 9, to declare that such nomination shall be disregarded or that such
proposed business shall not be transacted. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this
Section 9, if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at
the annual or special meeting of stockholders of the corporation to present a nomination or
business, such nomination shall be disregarded and such proposed business shall not be transacted,
notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the corporation.
(ii) For purposes of this Section 9, public announcement shall include disclosure in a press
release reported by PRNewswire, Business Wire, the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or
comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the corporation with the
Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
(iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 9, a stockholder shall also
comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 9. Nothing in this
Section 9 shall be deemed to affect any rights (A) of stockholders to request inclusion of
proposals in the corporations proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act or (B)
of the holders of any series of preferred stock of the corporation to elect directors pursuant to
any applicable provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation.
7
Section 10. MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF STOCKHOLDER LIST. The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of the corporation shall prepare and make, at
least ten days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled
to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder
and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the
examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business
hours, for a period of at least ten days prior to the meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be
specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not so specified, at the place where the meeting is
to be held. The list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during
the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present.
Section 11. STOCKHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING. Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, any action required to be taken
at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the corporation, or any action which may be
taken at any annual or special meeting of such stockholders, may not be taken without a meeting.
ARTICLE III.
DIRECTORS
Section 1. THE NUMBER OF DIRECTORS. The number of directors which shall constitute the whole Board shall be not less than three
nor more than eleven. The actual number of directors shall be fixed from time to time solely by
resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors. The directors need not
be stockholders. The directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of the stockholders, except
as provided in Section 2 of this Article, and each director elected shall hold office until his
successor is elected and qualified; provided, however, that unless otherwise restricted by the
Certificate of Incorporation or by law, any director or the entire Board may be removed, for cause,
from the Board at any meeting of stockholders by not less than 66 2/3% of the outstanding stock of
the Corporation.
Section 2. VACANCIES. Vacancies on the Board by reason of death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal
from office or otherwise, and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the
authorized number of directors may be filled solely by a vote of a majority of the directors then
in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, and each director so
elected shall hold office for a term that shall coincide with the remaining term of the class to
which such director shall have been elected. If there are no directors in office, then an election
of directors may be held in the manner provided by statute. If, at the time of filling any vacancy
or any newly created directorship, the directors then in office shall constitute less than a
majority of the whole Board (as constituted immediately prior to any such increase), the Court of
Chancery may, upon application of any stockholder or stockholders holding at least ten percent of
the total number of the shares at the time outstanding having the right to vote for such directors,
summarily order an election to be held to fill any such vacancies or newly created directorships,
or to replace the directors chosen by the directors then in office.
8
Section 3. POWERS. The property and business of the corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of its
Board. In addition to the powers and authorities by these Bylaws expressly conferred upon them, the
Board may exercise all such powers of the corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are
not by statute, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws directed or required to be
exercised or done by the stockholders.
Section 4. PLACE OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS. The directors may hold their meetings, have one or more offices and keep the books of the
corporation outside of the State of Delaware.
Section 5. REGULAR MEETINGS. Regular meetings of the Board may be held without notice at such time and place as shall from
time to time be determined by the Board.
Section 6. SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the Board may be called by the Chairman of the Board or the President on
forty-eight hours notice to each director, either personally, by mail, electronic mail or by
telegram; special meetings shall be called by the President or the Secretary in like manner and on
like notice on the written request of two directors, unless the Board consists of only one
director, in which case special meetings shall be called by the President or Secretary in like
manner or on like notice on the written request of the sole director.
Section 7. QUORUM. At all meetings of the Board a majority of the authorized number of directors shall be
necessary and sufficient to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the vote of a
majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the
Board, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by statute, by the Certificate of
Incorporation or by these Bylaws. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the Board, the
directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than
announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present. If only one director is authorized,
such sole director shall constitute a quorum.
Section 8. ACTION WITHOUT MEETING. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any action
required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board, or of any committee thereof, may be
taken without a meeting, if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent
thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the
Board or committee.
Section 9. TELEPHONIC MEETINGS. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, members of
the Board, or any committee designated by the Board, may participate in a meeting of the Board, or any committee, by means of conference telephone or similar communications
equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such
participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
9
Section 10. COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS. The Board may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board, designate one or more
committees, each such committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the corporation. The
Board may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace
any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. In the absence or
disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting
and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he, she or they constitute a quorum, may
unanimously appoint another member of the Board to act at the meeting in the place of any such
absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the
Board, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board in the management of
the business and affairs of the corporation and may authorize the seal of the corporation to be
affixed to all papers which may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or authority
in reference to amending the Certificate of Incorporation, adopting an agreement of merger or
consolidation, recommending to the stockholders the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially
all of the corporations property and assets, recommending to the stockholders a dissolution of the
corporation or a revocation of a dissolution, or amending the Bylaws of the corporation; and,
unless the resolution or the Certificate of Incorporation expressly so provide, no such committee
shall have the power or authority to declare a dividend or to authorize the issuance of stock.
Section 11. MINUTES OF COMMITTEE MEETINGS. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the Board
when required.
Section 12. COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the Board
shall have the authority to fix the compensation of directors. The directors may be paid their
expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board and may be paid a fixed sum for
attendance at each meeting of the Board or a stated salary as director. No such payment shall
preclude any director from serving the corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation
therefor. Members of special or standing committees may be allowed like compensation for attending
committee meetings.
ARTICLE IV.
OFFICERS
Section 1. OFFICERS. The officers of this corporation shall be chosen by the Board and shall include a President, a
Secretary and a Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer. The corporation may also have at the
discretion of the Board such other officers as are desired, including one or more Vice Presidents, one or more Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers and such other officers
as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 hereof. In the event there are
two or more Vice Presidents, then one or more may be designated as Executive Vice President, Senior
Vice President or other similar or dissimilar title. At the time of the election of officers, the
directors may by resolution determine the order of their rank. Any number of offices may be held by
the same person, unless the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws otherwise provide.
Section 2. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The Board, at its first meeting after each annual meeting of stockholders, shall choose the
officers of the corporation.
10
Section 3. SUBORDINATE OFFICERS. The Board may appoint such other officers and agents as it shall deem necessary who shall hold
their offices for such terms and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as shall be
determined from time to time by the Board.
Section 4. COMPENSATION OF OFFICERS. The salaries of all officers and agents of the corporation shall be fixed by the Board.
Section 5. TERM OF OFFICE; REMOVAL AND VACANCIES. The officers of the corporation shall hold office until their successors are chosen and
qualify in their stead. Any officer elected or appointed by the Board may be removed at any time by
the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board. If the office of any officer or officers becomes
vacant for any reason, the vacancy shall be filled by the Board.
Section 6. POWERS AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS. The officers of the corporation shall have such powers and duties in the management of the
corporation as may be prescribed in a resolution by the Board and, to the extent not so provided,
as generally pertain to their respective offices, subject to the control of the Board.
ARTICLE V.
INDEMNIFICATION OF EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS
The corporation may indemnify every person who is or was a party or is or was threatened to be
made a party to any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative, by reason of the fact that he or she is or was an employee or agent of the
corporation or, while an employee or agent of the corporation, is or was serving at the request of
the corporation as an employee or agent or trustee of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, against expenses (including counsel
fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, to the
extent permitted by applicable law.
ARTICLE VI.
CERTIFICATES OF STOCK
Section 1. CERTIFICATES. Every holder of stock of the corporation shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by, or
in the name of the corporation by, the President or a Vice President and by the Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary, or the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer of the corporation, certifying the
number of shares represented by the certificate owned by such stockholder in the corporation.
Section 2. SIGNATURES ON CERTIFICATES. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer,
transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a
certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such
certificate is issued, it may be issued by the corporation with the same effect as if he or she
were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.
11
Section 3. STATEMENT OF STOCK RIGHTS, PREFERENCES, PRIVILEGES. If the corporation shall be authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one
series of any class, the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or
other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualification, limitations or
restrictions of such preferences and/or rights shall be set forth in full or summarized on the face
or back of the certificate which the corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of
stock, provided that, except as otherwise provided in section 202 of the General Corporation Law of
Delaware, in lieu of the foregoing requirements, there may be set forth on the face or back of the
certificate which the corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock, a
statement that the corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the
powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of
each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such
preferences and/or rights.
Section 4. LOST CERTIFICATES. The Board may direct a new certificate or certificates to be issued in place of any
certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen
or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate
of stock to be lost, stolen or destroyed. When authorizing such issue of a new certificate or
certificates, the Board may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance
thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate or certificates, or his
legal representative, to advertise the same in such manner as it shall require and/or to give the
corporation a bond in such sum as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen or
destroyed.
Section 5. TRANSFERS OF STOCK. Upon surrender to the corporation, or the transfer agent of the corporation, of a certificate
for shares duly endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of succession, assignation or authority
to transfer, it shall be the duty of the corporation to issue a new certificate to the person
entitled thereto, cancel the old certificate and record the transaction upon its books.
Section 6. REGISTERED STOCKHOLDERS. The corporation shall be entitled to treat the holder of record of any share or shares of
stock as the holder in fact thereof and accordingly shall not be bound to recognize any equitable
or other claim or interest in such share on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall
have express or other notice thereof, except as expressly provided by the laws of the State of
Delaware.
ARTICLE VII.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 1. CHECKS. All checks or demands for money and notes of the corporation shall be signed by such officer
or officers as the Board may from time to time designate.
Section 2. FISCAL YEAR. The fiscal year of the corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the Board.
12
Section 3. CORPORATE SEAL. The corporate seal shall have inscribed thereon the name of the corporation and shall be in
such form as may be approved from time to time by the Board.
Section 4. MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE. Whenever, under the law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, notice is required
to be given to any director or stockholder, it shall not be construed to mean personal notice, but
such notice may be given in writing, by mail, addressed to such director or stockholder, at his
address as it appears on the records of the corporation, with postage thereon prepaid, and such
notice shall be deemed to be given at the time when the same shall be deposited in the United
States mail. Notice to directors may also be given by telegram, telecopier or other means of
communication permitted by law.
Section 5. WAIVER OF NOTICE. Whenever any notice is required to be given under the law, the Certificate of Incorporation or
these Bylaws, a waiver thereof via electronic mail or in writing, signed by the person or persons
entitled to said notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed
equivalent thereto. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such
meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the
beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully
called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at nor the purpose of any regular or
special meeting of the stockholders, directors or members of a committee of directors need be
specified in any written waiver of notice.
ARTICLE VIII.
AMENDMENTS
These Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed or new Bylaws may be adopted by the
stockholders or by the Board in accordance with the terms of the Certificate of Incorporation. If
the power to adopt, amend or repeal Bylaws is conferred upon the Board by the Certificate of
Incorporation, it shall not divest or limit the power of the stockholders to adopt, amend or repeal
Bylaws.
* * * * *
13
exv31w1
Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
CERTIFICATION
I, Timothy E. Conver, certify that:
1. |
|
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of AeroVironment, Inc.; |
|
2. |
|
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances
under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this
report; |
|
3. |
|
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in
this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations
and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; |
|
4. |
|
The registrants other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining
disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for
the registrant and we have: |
|
a) |
|
designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and
procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to
the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those
entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; |
|
|
b) |
|
evaluated the effectiveness of the registrants disclosure controls and procedures and
presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and
procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and |
|
|
c) |
|
disclosed in this report any change in the registrants internal control over financial
reporting that occurred during the registrants most recent fiscal quarter (the registrants fourth
fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably
likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial reporting; and |
5. |
|
The registrants other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent
evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrants auditors and the audit
committee of registrants board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function): |
|
a) |
|
all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal
control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrants
ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and |
|
|
b) |
|
any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a
significant role in the registrants internal control over financial reporting. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/S/ Timothy E. Conver
|
|
|
|
Timothy E. Conver |
|
|
|
Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer) |
|
|
March 9, 2007
exv31w2
Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
CERTIFICATION
I, Stephen C. Wright, certify that:
1. |
|
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of AeroVironment, Inc.; |
|
2. |
|
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances
under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this
report; |
|
3. |
|
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in
this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations
and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; |
|
4. |
|
The registrants other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining
disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for
the registrant and we have: |
|
a) |
|
designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and
procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to
the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those
entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; |
|
|
b) |
|
evaluated the effectiveness of the registrants disclosure controls and procedures and
presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and
procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and |
|
|
c) |
|
disclosed in this report any change in the registrants internal control over financial
reporting that occurred during the registrants most recent fiscal quarter (the registrants fourth
fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably
likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial reporting; and |
5. |
|
The registrants other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent
evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrants auditors and the audit
committee of registrants board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function): |
|
a) |
|
all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal
control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrants
ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and |
|
|
b) |
|
any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a
significant role in the registrants internal control over financial reporting. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/S/ Stephen C. Wright
|
|
|
|
Stephen C. Wright |
|
|
|
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
|
|
March 9, 2007
exv32w1
Exhibit 32.1
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002, the undersigned officer of AeroVironment, Inc. (the Company) hereby certifies, to the best
of his knowledge, that:
|
(i) |
|
the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the fiscal quarter ended January 27,
2007 (the Report) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d), as
applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and |
|
|
(ii) |
|
the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the
financial condition and results of operations of the Company. |
Dated: March 9, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/S/ Timothy E. Conver
|
|
|
|
Timothy E. Conver |
|
|
|
Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer) |
|
|
The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 and is not
being filed as part of the Report or as a separate disclosure document.
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 909 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.
exv32w2
Exhibit 32.2
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002, the undersigned officer of AeroVironment, Inc. (the Company) hereby certifies, to the best
of his knowledge, that:
|
(i) |
|
the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the fiscal quarter ended January 27,
2007 (the Report) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d), as
applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and |
|
|
(ii) |
|
the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the
financial condition and results of operations of the Company. |
Dated: March 9, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/S/ Stephen C. Wright
|
|
|
|
Stephen C. Wright |
|
|
|
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
|
|
The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 and is not
being filed as part of the Report or as a separate disclosure document.
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 909 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.