
AeroVironment, Inc. [AVAV] said Friday that it received approval on July 19 for the commercial use of its Puma AE unmanned aircraft system (UAS). Hand launch of a Puma AE. Photo: AeroVironment. The “Restricted Category” designation from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the first ever certification allowing a UAS to be used for commercial operations, including monitoring oil spills and performing ocean surveys, according to a company release. Insitu, Inc.’s ScanEagle UAS was also awarded the FAA’s approval for…