AeroVironment Upgrading Family of Small UAS; Puma 3 and Raven 3 to Be Unveiled at AUSA Global Force Symposium Next Spring

October 09, 2017
  • Puma 3 structural enhancements increase durability, enable concurrent operation of electro-optical (EO)/Infrared (IR) and radio frequency (RF) payloads
  • Upgraded avionics modules to provide expanded navigation capabilities in both aircraft
  • Digital Data Link (DDL) security enhancements to support operation in challenging electronic warfare (EW) and cyber environments, in addition to current M1/M2/M5 frequencies

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Association of the United States Army Annual Meeting and Exposition – AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems for both military and commercial applications, today announced that its Puma™ AE and Raven® small unmanned aircraft systems, the most widely deployed UAVs in the United States Department of Defense fleet, are being enhanced with new upgrades. The new aircraft, Puma 3 and Raven 3, will be unveiled at the AUSA Global Force Symposium in March 2018.

The upgrades, which are being briefed in a series of customer meetings at AeroVironment’s booth (#201) here this week, include durability enhancements to the aircraft to operate in more rugged environments, improved ability to support advanced third-party payloads and software applications and enhanced performance in challenging radio electronic warfare/cyber environments where interference is prevalent.

“The Puma 3 and Raven 3 upgrades are based on customer feedback and provide enhanced capabilities while preserving backward compatibility for our users,” said Kirk Flittie, vice president and general manager of AeroVironment’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems business unit. “While thousands of our small UAS are working hard every day in rugged locations around the globe, we are always listening to our customers to determine how we can enhance our Family of Systems to make it even more powerful and reliable, especially in the highest risk operations. In addition to product enhancements, we are currently working with several customers on certification of our existing and upgraded UAS to operate in their national airspace systems. We take airworthiness and certification of our systems, and the components that go into our UAS, very seriously.”

The next-generation avionics suite on the Puma 3 and Raven 3 will include specialized processors to support advanced navigation techniques and third-party algorithms. Additionally, customers will be able to interface with next generation GPS modules for operation in GPS-challenged environments. Both aircraft will have an improved inertial measurement unit to enhance their flying capability.

Puma 3 features enhanced composite structures to support landing with heavier configurations and at higher altitudes. Puma 3 will incorporate a new, more efficient smart battery as well as enhancements to battery safety. Puma 3 will also reduce the system’s footprint from six transport cases to four, and will feature a flyable configuration in a single transport case with a luggage-type handle for improved portability.

Raven 3 will feature a new smart battery with an integrated state-of-the-charge indicator and improved safety and reliability during charging and flight operations. Raven 3 will also include an optional AVTracker capability, which improves Raven’s ability to maintain “eyes on target.”

Finally, Puma 3 and Raven 3 will be equipped with Digital Data Link (DDL) security upgrades to support operation in more challenging RF environments and will include M1/M2/M5 radio frequencies to conform seamlessly and securely to the Department of Defense’s new frequency spectrum allocation.

Visit AeroVironment at the AUSA Annual Meeting and Expo from October 9–11:

  • Booth #201
  • Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington DC


About AeroVironment, Inc. (AV)

AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV) is a global leader in intelligent multi-domain robotic systems, uncrewed aircraft and ground systems, sensors, software analytics, and connectivity. Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, AeroVironment delivers actionable intelligence so our customers can proceed with certainty. For more information, visit 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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