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Small unmanned aircraft systems to demonstrate broadband network and
long distance communications link for the FCC Deployable Aerial
Communications Architecture Notice of Inquiry proceeding
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Multiple demonstrations planned using AeroVironment's Digital Data
Link and off-the-shelf communications payloads
MONROVIA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
AeroVironment
(NASDAQ: AVAV) today announced it will employ its small unmanned
aircraft systems (UAS) to demonstrate aerial communications capabilities
for the Federal Communications Commission's Deployable Aerial
Communications Architecture (DACA) Notice of Inquiry (NOI) proceeding.
The DACA NOI is examining the ability to re-establish communications
rapidly using aerial platform technology following a natural or man-made
disaster that renders existing communications networks unusable.
AeroVironment will support the DACA program by conducting demonstrations
using its family of portable, hand-launched small UAS for airborne
communication relay. Transportable in a backpack or vehicle and operated
using a hand-held control unit, AeroVironment's small UAS can be
assembled and launched in less than five minutes and can fly for between
45 minutes and two hours, depending on the model.
The demonstrations will utilize AeroVironment's Digital Data Link (DDL),
a standard component of its small UAS, as well as third party
communications payloads to connect users with data and voice over long
distances. The DDL enables encrypted, beyond-line-of-sight voice, video,
data and text communication through each unmanned air vehicle and ground
station, and will provide broadband network connectivity for the DACA
demonstration. Off-the-shelf communication relay payloads carried by the
small UAS will enable hand-held public safety and emergency response
radios to communicate with one another over long distances or
beyond-line-of-sight, and without ground-based antennas or repeaters.
AeroVironment will work with the FCC to obtain appropriate experimental
licenses, coordinate the demonstrations, and showcase how portable,
rapidly deployable and affordable small UAS technology can be used to
support the DACA mission.
"AeroVironment's small UAS have proven themselves to be reliable,
rugged, and cost-effective lifesaving tools for troops on the
frontline," said Roy Minson, AeroVironment senior vice president and
general manager of Unmanned Aircraft Systems. "We are seeing only the
beginning of the utility these tools can deliver to military and
non-military users. By demonstrating how small UAS can also provide
instant communications capabilities we hope to help the FCC and industry
envision valuable new applications of our technology to preserve lives,
property and resources."
About AeroVironment's Small UAS
RQ-11B
Raven®, Wasp
AE™, RQ-20A
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 and security personnel. AeroVironment provides
logistics services worldwide to ensure a consistently high level of
operational readiness and provides mission services for customers
requiring only the information its small UAS produce. AeroVironment has
delivered thousands of new and replacement small unmanned air vehicles
to customers within the United States and to more than a dozen
international governments.
The Qube™
small UAS is tailored to law enforcement, first response and other
public safety missions. Small enough to fit easily in the trunk of a
car, the Qube system can be unpacked, assembled and ready for flight in
less than five minutes, giving the operator a rapidly deployable eye in
the sky at a fraction of the cost of manned aircraft and large unmanned
aircraft.
About AeroVironment, Inc.
AeroVironment is a technology solutions provider that designs, develops,
produces, supports and operates an advanced portfolio of Unmanned
Aircraft Systems (UAS) and electric transportation solutions.
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.
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AeroVironment, Inc.
Steven Gitlin
+1 (626) 357-9983
pr@avinc.com
or
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Source: AeroVironment, Inc.
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