Release Details

• Air Force to equip Security Forces with Raven systems
• Initial order supports training in preparation for broader deployment

MONROVIA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV) today announced that it received a $6,874,175 firm-fixed-price order from the U.S. Air Force under an existing contract with the U.S. Army. The order comprises new digital Raven® small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and initial spares packages. The systems and spares packages are scheduled for delivery within the next several months.

The Air Force Security Forces plan to employ Raven systems to enhance situational awareness and security at bases worldwide. This initial order will provide systems for training of Air Force personnel to support broader deployment.

"Real-time aerial video from small unmanned aircraft systems has proven invaluable to warfighters on the battlefield, and can similarly benefit Security Forces at Air Force bases," said Tom Herring, AeroVironment senior vice president and general manager, Unmanned Aircraft Systems. "For a fraction of the cost of larger unmanned aircraft systems, Raven, Puma and Wasp systems deliver situational awareness directly to the troops who need it, helping them operate more effectively and saving lives. With our customers looking for ways to do more with much less, small UAS provide tremendous value at a relatively low cost."

The Raven unmanned aircraft is a 4.2-pound, backpackable, hand-launched sensor platform that provides day and night, real-time video imagery for "over the hill" and "around the corner" reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition in support of tactical units. U.S. armed forces use Raven systems extensively for missions such as base security, route reconnaissance, mission planning and force protection. Each Raven system typically consists of three aircraft, two ground control stations and spares.

About AeroVironment's Small UAS

Raven^®, Wasp, Puma and Shrike VTOL comprise AeroVironment's Family of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems. Operating with a common ground control system (GCS), this Family of Systems provides increased capability to the warfighter that can give ground commanders the option of selecting the appropriate aircraft based on the type of mission to be performed. This increased capability has the potential to provide significant force protection and force multiplication benefits to small tactical units, security personnel and public safety professionals. AeroVironment's UAS logistics operation supports systems deployed worldwide to ensure a consistently high level of operational readiness. AeroVironment has delivered thousands of new and replacement small unmanned air vehicles. International purchasers of AeroVironment's small UAS include the armed forces of Italy, Denmark, the Netherlands, Spain, France, Norway, the Czech Republic, Thailand and Australia.

About AeroVironment

AeroVironment is a technology solutions provider that designs, develops, produces and supports an advanced portfolio of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and electric transportation solutions. Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services use the company's electric-powered, hand-launched unmanned aircraft systems extensively to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real-time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance and communication. Multiple government agencies have helped to fund the development and demonstration of Global Observer, a hybrid-electric, stratospheric UAS designed to provide affordable, persistent reconnaissance and communication over any location on the globe. Switchblade is a loitering munition designed to provide a rapid, lethal, pinpoint precision strike capability with minimal collateral damage. AeroVironment's electric transportation solutions include a comprehensive suite of electric vehicle (EV) charging systems, installation and data services for consumers, automakers, utilities and government agencies, power cycling and test systems for EV developers and industrial electric vehicle charging systems for commercial fleets. More information about AeroVironment is available at www.avinc.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

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

Additional AeroVironment News: http://avinc.com/resources/news/
AeroVironment Media Gallery: http://avinc.com/media_gallery/
Follow us: www.twitter.com/aerovironment
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/AeroVironment-Inc/91762492182

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid50008946&lang=en

AeroVironment, Inc.
Steven Gitlin, 626-357-9983
pr@avinc.com
or
For AeroVironment, Inc.
Mark Boyer, 310-229-5956
mark@boyersyndicate.com

Source: AeroVironment, Inc.

News Provided by Acquire Media