Document and Entity Information Statement [Table] Statement Line Items [Line Items] Statement Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Document Type Document Period End Date Amendment Flag Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Public Float Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Consolidated Balance Sheets Assets [Abstract] Assets Assets, Current [Abstract] Current assets: Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents at end of period Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents Short-term Investments Short-term investments Total held-to-maturity and short-term investments Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $291 at April 30, 2017 and $262 at April 30, 2016 This element represents the current portion of Unbilled amounts due for services rendered or to be rendered, actions taken or to be taken, or a promise to refrain from taking certain actions in accordance with the terms of a legally binding agreement between the entity and, at a minimum, one other party, also include retentions amounts withheld by customers until contract completion. Unbilled Contracts Receivable and Retentions, Current Unbilled receivables and retentions Inventory, Net Inventories, net Inventories, net Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current Prepaid expenses and other current assets Assets, Current Total current assets Long-term Investments Long-term investments Total long-term investments Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Property and equipment, net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Total Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Noncurrent Deferred income taxes Other Assets, Noncurrent Other assets Assets Total assets Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Liabilities and stockholders’ equity Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Current liabilities: Accounts Payable, Current Accounts payable Employee-related Liabilities, Current Wages and related accruals Accrued Income Taxes, Current Income taxes payable Customer Advances, Current Customer advances Other Liabilities, Current Other current liabilities Liabilities, Current Total current liabilities Deferred Rent Credit, Noncurrent Deferred rent Capital Lease Obligations, Noncurrent Capital lease obligations - net of current portion Long-term portion of capital lease obligations Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Other non-current liabilities Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net, Noncurrent Deferred tax liability Non-current deferred income tax liabilities Liability for Uncertain Tax Positions, Noncurrent Liability for uncertain tax positions Commitments and Contingencies. Commitments and contingencies Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Stockholders' equity: Preferred Stock, Value, Issued Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value: Authorized shares—10,000,000; none issued or outstanding Common Stock, Value, Issued Common stock, $0.0001 par value: Authorized shares—100,000,000 Issued and outstanding shares—23,630,419 shares at April 30, 2017 and 23,359,925 at April 30, 2016 Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Additional paid-in capital Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Total accumulated other comprehensive loss balance as of April 30, 2017 Total accumulated other comprehensive loss balance as of April 30, 2016 Accumulated other comprehensive loss Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Retained earnings Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Balance Balance Total AeroVironment stockholders' equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Noncontrolling interests Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Total equity Liabilities and Equity Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts (in dollars) Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share) Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized Preferred stock, Authorized shares Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Preferred stock, issued shares Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Preferred stock, outstanding shares Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, Authorized shares Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common stock, Issued shares Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Common stock, outstanding shares Consolidated Statements of Operations Revenues [Abstract] Revenue: Sales Revenue, Goods, Net Product sales Sales Revenue, Services, Net Contract services Revenues Revenue Total revenue Cost of Revenue [Abstract] Cost of sales: Cost of Goods Sold Product sales Cost of Services Contract services Cost of Revenue Cost of sales Total cost of sales Gross Profit: Gross margin: Aggregate revenue from the sale of goods less cost of goods sold or operating expenses directly attributable to the revenue generation product sales activity. Product Sales Product sales Aggregate revenue from services rendered less costs related to such services rendered or operating expenses directly attributable to the revenue generation product sales activity. Contract Services Contract services Gross Profit Total gross margin Gross margin Selling, General and Administrative Expense Selling, general and administrative Research and Development Expense Research and development Operating Income (Loss) Income from operations Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract] Other income (expense): Investment Income, Interest Interest income, net Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Other income (expense), net Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest Income before income taxes Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Provision (benefit) for income taxes Total income tax (benefit) expense Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net income Net income Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest Net income (loss) Net (loss) income attributable to AeroVironment Net income attributable to AeroVironment Net income attributable to AeroVironment Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Earnings per share attributable to AeroVironment: (Loss) Earnings Per Share Earnings Per Share, Basic Basic (in dollars per share) Net (loss) income per share attributable to AeroVironment—basic Earnings Per Share, Diluted Diluted (in dollars per share) Net (loss) income per share attributable to AeroVironment—diluted Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract] Weighted average shares outstanding: Denominator for basic earnings per share: Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Basic (in shares) Weighted average common shares (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Diluted (in shares) Denominator for diluted earnings per share (in shares) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Other comprehensive income: Unrealized Gain (loss) on investiments Unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net of deferred tax expense (benefit) of $43, $18 and $(730) for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2017, April 30, 2016 and April 30, 2015 respectively Unrealized loss on investments Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Total comprehensive income Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive income attributable to AeroVironment Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities, Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Unrealized gain, tax portion Unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net of tax portion CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Common Stock [Member] Common Stock Additional Paid In Capital [Member] Additional Paid-In Capital Retained Earnings [Member] Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss. Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity Shares, Issued Balance (in shares) Balance (in shares) Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Nonredeemable Noncontrolling Interest Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Nonredeemable Noncontrolling Interest Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption Adoption of ASU 2016-09 Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised Stock options exercised Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period Options exercised (in shares) Stock options exercised (in shares) Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Gross Restricted stock awards (in shares) Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Forfeited Restricted stock awards forfeited (in shares) Adjustments Related to Tax Withholding for Share-based Compensation Tax withholding payment related to net share settlement of equity awards Shares Paid for Tax Withholding for Share Based Compensation Tax withholding payment related to net share settlement of equity awards (in shares) Represents the adjustment to additional paid-in-capital resulting from a reclassification from share-based liability compensation to equity during the period. Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital Reclassification from Share Based Liability Compensation to Equity Reclassification from share-based liability compensation to equity Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Income Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation Tax benefit from stock-based compensation Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Value Business acquisition Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Shares Business acquisition Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition Stock-based compensation Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Operating activities Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash used in operating activities: Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Depreciation and amortization Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments Loss from equity method investments Entity's share of net loss Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net Impairment of available-for-sale securities Other than temporary impairment of available-for-sale securities Asset Impairment Charges Impairment of long-lived assets Provision for Doubtful Accounts Provision for doubtful accounts Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), Unrealized Losses on foreign currency transactions Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gain (Loss), Excluding Other than Temporary Impairments Loss on sale of equity securities The noncash component of income tax expense for the period representing the increase (decrease) in the entity's deferred tax assets and liabilities pertaining to continuing operations. Deferred Income Tax Noncash Expense (Benefit) Deferred income taxes Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Business Gain on business acquisition Represents the amount of change in fair value of conversion feature of convertible bonds during the period. Change in Fair Value of Conversion Feature of Convertible Bonds Change in fair value of conversion feature of convertible bonds Share-based Compensation Stock-based compensation Deferred Tax Expense from Stock Options Exercised Tax benefit from exercise of stock options Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Operating Activities Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Property Plant Equipment Loss (gain) on disposition of property and equipment Accretion (Amortization) of Discounts and Premiums, Investments Amortization of held-to-maturity investments Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable This element represents the net change during the reporting period in the amount of unbilled receivables and retentions. Increase (Decrease) in Unbilled Contracts Receivable and Retentions Unbilled receivables and retentions Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Inventories Increase (Decrease) in Income Taxes Receivable Income tax receivable Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expense and Other Assets Prepaid expenses and other assets Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable Accounts payable Increase (Decrease) in Other Current Liabilities Other liabilities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Investing activities Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Acquisition of property and equipment Payments to Acquire Equity Method Investments Equity method investment Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired Business acquisition, net of cash acquired Proceeds from Sale and Maturity of Held-to-maturity Securities Redemptions of held-to-maturity investments Payments to Acquire Held-to-maturity Securities Purchases of held-to-maturity investments Payments to Acquire Intangible Assets Acquisitions of intangible assets Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment Proceeds from Sale of Available-for-sale Securities Sales and redemptions of available-for-sale investments Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Financing activities Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Purchase and retirement of common stock Repayments of Long-term Capital Lease Obligations Principal payments of capital lease obligations Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Financing Activities Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation Payments Related to Tax Withholding for Share-based Compensation Tax withholding payment related to net settlement of equity awards Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised Exercise of stock options Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Continuing Operations Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information Cash paid during the period for: Income Taxes Paid Income taxes Non-cash activities Available-for-sale Securities, Change in Net Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss), Net of Tax Unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net of deferred tax expense (benefit) of $43, $18 and $(730) for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2017, April 30, 2016 and April 30, 2015 respectively Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Share-based Liabilities Paid Reclassification from share-based liability compensation to equity Represents the information pertaining to forfeiture of vested stock based compensation. Forfeiture Of Vested Stock Based Compensation Forfeiture of vested stock-based compensation Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Fixed Assets Acquired Acquisitions of property and equipment financed with capital lease obligations Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Intangible Assets Acquired Accrued acquisition of intangible assets The amount of fixed assets included in accounts payable that an Entity acquires in a noncash (or part noncash) acquisition. Noncash is defined as information about all investing and financing activities of an enterprise during a period that affect recognized assets or liabilities but that do not result in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of the transaction not resulting in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. Noncash Or Part Noncash Acquisition Fixed Assets Acquired Included In Accounts Payable Acquisitions of property and equipment included in accounts payable Available-for-sale Securities, Income Tax Expense on Change in Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) Unrealized change in fair value on long-term investments recorded in other comprehensive income loss, net of tax expenses (benefit) Organization and Significant Accounting Policies Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Organization and Significant Accounting Policies Investments Investments in Debt and Marketable Equity Securities (and Certain Trading Assets) Disclosure [Text Block] Investments Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Fair Value Measurements Inventories, net Inventory Disclosure [Text Block] Inventories, net Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Intangibles NA Goodwill Disclosure [Abstract] Goodwill Disclosure [Text Block] Goodwill Property and Equipment, net Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block] Property and Equipment, net Investments in Companies Accounted for Using the Equity Method Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures Disclosure [Text Block] Investments in Companies Accounted for Using the Equity Method