AeroVironment’s New 360 Multi-Sector Antenna Expands Puma AE UAS Operational Capabilities for Maritime Missions
April 03, 2019
- Available in M3/4/6 operating bands, 360 Multi-Sector Antenna provides continuous 360-degree long-range command and control between naval operators and Puma AE UAS for maritime applications
- Auto-tracking function provides uninterrupted mission support by eliminating the need for the crew to redirect the vessel or reconfigure the direction of the antenna to maintain UAS link
- Automatically switches between antenna segments with greater margin, thus reducing operator workload and ensuring a strong and consistent link with Puma AE UAS
Rio De Janeiro, at LAAD 2019, Booth #O.70, Hall 4, US Pavilion, April 3, 2019 – AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV), a global leader in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) for both defense and commercial applications, today announced the availability of a new 360 Multi-Sector Antenna (MSA) for its Puma™ AE small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). Specifically designed to support Puma AE maritime missions, the 360 MSA provides naval operators with immediate tactical situational awareness, while eliminating the need to redirect the vessel or reconfigure the direction of an antenna to maintain an effective communication link.
Featuring an integrated array of 24 high-gain auto-selective antennas, the new 360 MSA analyzes downlink data quality and automatically switches between antenna patches with greater margin to deliver 360-degree continuous command and control coverage within a 20km nominal range. Commanding Officers (COs) can maintain complete control of the Puma AE aircraft and payload with the 360 MSA and access real time, decision critical ISR information. Additionally, it enables the bridge and combat team with mission planning, real time moving map, high resolution imagery, and contact status capability.
AeroVironment’s new 360 Multi-Sector Antenna (MSA) joins the company’s previously announced
Long Range Tracking Antenna™ (LRTA) to provide operators with immediate tactical Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities anytime, anywhere. LRTA’s 360-degree auto-tracking function enables land-based operators to expand the command and control range of Puma AE to approximately 60km, providing critical ISR data while being positioned further away from dangerous areas of interest. The LRTA features an automated two-axis positioner tracking function that ensures a secure and reliable link with Puma while it operates at extended ranges. This antenna gives Puma 3 AE’s Mantis i45 EO/IR gimbal capabilities similar to larger and costlier Group 2 or higher UAS.
“AeroVironment is committed to protecting and enabling allied armed forces and expanding the envelope of missions our Puma AE UAS can support,” said David Sharpin, Vice President, Sales and Business Development for AeroVironment. “The improvements made to the Puma 3 AE, combined with the enhanced capabilities from our 360 Multi-Sector Antenna and Long Range Tracking Antenna, demonstrate AeroVironment’s ability to provide customers with critical ISR data whether on land or at sea.”
The new 360 Multi-Sector Antenna (MSA) is currently available in M3/4/6 DDL operating bands. International customers can contact AeroVironment for capability demonstrations in early Summer 2019, and will begin taking orders Fall 2019.
For more information, customers can visit AeroVironment at LAAD 2019 (Booth #O.70, Hall 4, U.S. Pavilion), or contact AeroVironment Business Development Representative for pricing and availability in their region.
About AeroVironment Small UAS
The RQ-11B Raven®, RQ-12A Wasp® and RQ-20A/B Puma™ 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 45 allied governments.
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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