Australian Defence Force Selects AeroVironment Wasp® AE for AUD $101 Million Small Unmanned Aircraft
Systems Program
- AeroVironment to provide Wasp® AE systems over three years with multi-year training and support
- Total contract value to AeroVironment of up to USD $36.5 million for hardware and services over
program lifespan
- Australian partners XTEK, GD Mediaware and Sentient to provide added capabilities for WASP AE and
local support for the Australian Defence Force
AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for both military
and commercial applications, today announced the selection of the company’s Wasp AE small unmanned aircraft system by the
Australian Defence Force (ADF). The ADF Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) contract calls for the delivery of Wasp AE
systems over a three-year period, as well as training and logistics support for up to ten years, for a total AeroVironment contract
value of up to USD $36.5 million.
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AeroVironment Wasp® AE Unmanned Aircraft System Selected by ADF (Image Courtesy of Australian Defence Force)
“Wasp AE provides all environment situational awareness in a highly portable package,” said Kirk Flittie, AeroVironment vice
president and general manager of its Unmanned Aircraft Systems business segment. “Along with our Australian partners XTEK, GD
Mediaware and Sentient, we look forward to supporting and protecting ADF forces with the industry’s leading small UAS
capabilities.”
AeroVironment is working closely with Australian partners XTEK, GD Mediaware and Sentient Vision to provide WASP AE, a proven
capability in service with militaries around the world, which will then be modified with Australian content to meet both ADF and
Australia industry needs. XTEK and AeroVironment will provide local maintenance, training and field support to serve the immediate
needs of ADF while expanding AeroVironment’s global support capabilities.
The Wasp AE weighs 2.8 pounds, operates for up to 50 minutes at a range of up to five kilometers and delivers live, streaming
color and infrared video from its pan-tilt-zoom Mantis i22 AE gimbaled payload. Launched by hand and capable of landing on the
ground or in fresh or salt water, the Wasp AE provides portability and flexibility for infantry, littoral or maritime
reconnaissance operations.
About AeroVironment
AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV) provides customers with more actionable intelligence so they can proceed with certainty. Based in
California, AeroVironment is a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems, tactical missile systems and electric vehicle charging
and test systems, and serves militaries, government agencies, businesses and consumers. For more information visit www.avinc.com.
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AeroVironment, Inc.
Steven Gitlin
+1 (626) 357-9983
pr@avinc.com
or
For AeroVironment, Inc.
Mark Boyer
+1 (310) 229-5956
mark@boyersyndicate.com
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170601006579/en/