The Netherlands Ministry of Defence Awards AeroVironment Contract for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Upgrades Valued at $10.3 Million

October 31, 2016

  • Includes upgrade of existing AeroVironment Raven B systems to digital data link and adoption of AeroVironment’s family of small UAS, including Puma AE and Wasp AE systems
  • Second contract from Dutch military for AeroVironment small UAS

MONROVIA, Calif., Oct. 31, 2016 – AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for both military and commercial applications, today announced the receipt of a contract from the Netherlands Ministry of Defence on October 14 for small UAS, upgrades and support services totaling $10,321,375. Delivery is anticipated within six months.

The contract encompasses AeroVironment’s entire family of fixed wing small UAS and includes Digital Data Link (DDL) upgrades to the Dutch forces’ existing fleet of Raven® B systems, battle-proven Puma™ AE,Wasp® AE Micro Air Vehicle (MAV), and Ground Control Systems (GCS), as well as comprehensive support services.

The Netherlands procured AeroVironment Raven systems for the first time in 2008.AeroVironment has provided support services to the Netherlands since 2008.

“The Dutch Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) evaluated our extensive operational experience with the AeroVironment Raven system against competing systems available both domestically and internationally,” the DMO stated. “After careful deliberation and consideration of total value, DMO decided not only to upgrade our existing analog Raven systems with AeroVironment’s digital data link, but also to procure the complete AeroVironment family of fixed wing small UAS.This builds on our initial investment and equips our forces with the most capable and reliable small UAS in the world.”

“There is no greater statement of confidence in our company and our products than when customers place follow-on orders with us,” said Kirk Flittie, AeroVironment vice president and general manager of its Unmanned Aircraft Systems business segment. “We are proud to provide the brave members of the Dutch armed forces with small UAS uniquely capable of helping them proceed with certainty,even in the most uncertain conditions.”


About AeroVironment Small UAS

RQ-11B Raven®, RQ-12 Wasp®, RQ-20A and B Puma™ and Shrike VTOL™ 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 tens of thousands of new and replacement small unmanned air vehicles to customers within the United States and to more than 30 international 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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