Document and Entity Information Statement [Table] Statement Line Items [Line Items] Statement Entity Registrant Name Entity File Number Entity Central Index Key Document Type Document Quarterly Report Document Transition Report Document Period End Date Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Entity Tax Identification Number Amendment Flag Trading Symbol Title of 12(b) Security Security Exchange Name Entity Interactive Data Current Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Address, Address Line One Entity Address, City or Town Entity Address, State or Province Entity Address, Postal Zip Code City Area Code Local Phone Number Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Entity Emerging Growth Company Entity Shell Company Entity Small Business Consolidated Balance Sheets Assets [Abstract] Assets Assets, Current [Abstract] Current assets: Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents Short-term Investments Short-term investments Total short-term investments Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,054 at August 1, 2020 and $1,190 at April 30, 2020 Unbilled Receivables, Not Billable Unbilled receivables and retentions (inclusive of related party unbilled receivables of $28,143 at August 1, 2020 and $15,779 at April 30, 2020) Inventory, Net Inventories 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 Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset Operating lease right-of-use assets Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Noncurrent Deferred income taxes Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) Intangibles, net Intangibles, net Goodwill Goodwill 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 Deferred Income, Current Customer advances Operating Lease, Liability, Current Current operating lease liabilities Accrued Income Taxes, Current Income taxes payable Other Liabilities, Current Other current liabilities Liabilities, Current Total current liabilities Operating Lease, Liability, Noncurrent Non-current operating lease liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Other non-current 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 Authorized shares-10,000,000; none issued or outstanding at August 1, 2020 and April 30, 2020 Common Stock, Value, Issued Issued and outstanding shares-24,104,564 shares at August 1, 2020 and 24,063,639 shares at April 30, 2020 Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Additional paid-in capital Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Balance, net of $4 and $0 deferred taxes, as of August 1, 2020 and July 27, 2019, respectively Balance, net of $0 deferred taxes, as of April 30, 2020 and April 30, 2019 Accumulated other comprehensive income Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Retained earnings Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Balance Balance Total AeroVironment, Inc. stockholders' equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Noncontrolling interest Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Ending Balance Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Beginning Balance Total equity Liabilities and Equity Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts (in dollars) Due from Related Parties Due from Related Parties Unbilled related party receivables 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: Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax Revenue Revenues Total revenue Cost of Revenue [Abstract] Cost of sales: Cost of Goods and Services Sold Cost of sales Gross Profit: Gross margin: Gross Profit Total gross margin Selling, General and Administrative Expense Selling, general and administrative Research and Development Expense Research and development Operating Income (Loss) Income from continuing operations Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract] Other income: Investment Income, Interest Interest income, net Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Other income, net Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest Income from continuing operations before income taxes Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Provision for income taxes Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments Losses from equity method investments Equity method investment loss, net of tax Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net income from continuing operations Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Discontinued operations: Discontinued Operation, Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation During Phase-out Period, Net of Tax Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax Net loss from discontinued operations Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net income (loss) Net income Net income Amount of Net Income (Loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest. Amount Of Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest Net income (loss) Net income attributable to AeroVironment, Inc. Earnings Per Share, Basic [Abstract] Net income per share attributable to AeroVironment, Inc.--Basic Earnings Per Share, Basic Net income per share attributable to AeroVironment, Inc.-Basic Earnings Per Share, Diluted [Abstract] Net income per share attributable to AeroVironment, Inc.-Diluted Earnings Per Share, Diluted Net income per share attributable to AeroVironment, Inc.-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 Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Diluted (in shares) Denominator for diluted earnings per share Related party revenue Revenue Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Other comprehensive income: Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Change in foreign currency translation adjustments Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Unrealized loss on investments, net of deferred tax expense of $4 for the three months ended August 1, 2020 Unrealized loss on investments Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Total comprehensive income Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Comprehensive income attributable to AeroVironment, Inc. Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities, Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Unrealized loss on investments, net of deferred tax expense Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity 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 Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, before Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Foreign currency translation Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised Stock options exercised Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period 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) 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 income from continuing operations to cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations: Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Depreciation and amortization Gain (Loss) on Sale of Investments Realized gain from sale of available-for-sale investments Provision for Doubtful Accounts Provision for doubtful accounts Other Noncash Income (Expense) Other non-cash expense Amount of non cash lease expense (income). Non Cash Lease Expense (Income) Non-cash lease expense (income) Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), Unrealized Loss on foreign currency transactions 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 Share-based Compensation Stock-based compensation Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Property Plant Equipment Loss (gain) on sale of property and equipment Accretion (Amortization) of Discounts and Premiums, Investments Amortization of debt securities Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions: 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 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 investments Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired Business acquisition, net of cash acquired Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment Proceeds from sale of property and equipment 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 Proceeds from Sale of Available-for-sale Securities Redemptions of available-for-sale investments Payments to Acquire Available-for-sale Securities Purchases of available-for-sale investments Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Financing activities 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 used in financing activities from continuing operations Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Continuing Operations Net increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Including Disposal Group and Discontinued Operations Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information Cash refunded (paid), net during the period for: Income Taxes Paid, Net Income taxes Non-cash activities Available-for-sale Securities, Change in Net Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss), Net of Tax Unrealized loss on investments, net of deferred tax expense of $4 for the three months ended August 1, 2020 Non cash or Part of non cash change in foreign currency translation adjustments. Non Cash or Part of Non Cash Change in Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Change in foreign currency translation adjustments 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) related party revenue Organization and Significant Accounting Policies Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Organization and Significant Accounting Policies Discontinued Operations. Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block] Discontinued Operations 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 Equity Method Investments Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures Disclosure [Text Block] Equity Method Investments Warranty Reserves Product Warranty Disclosure [Text Block] Warranty Reserves Intangibles, net Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Intangibles, net NA Goodwill.