AeroVironment Inc. (AV) [AVAV] yesterday said it received an order valued at $4.8 million under a contract with the Norwegian Defence Logistics Organisation (NDLO).
The order comprises new Ravenr small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), spares, training services and logistics support. Delivery of the systems is scheduled for early calendar 2011.
“With years of successful deployment, Raven is proving its value to military forces around the world,” said Tom Herring, AV senior vice president and general manager of its Unmanned Aircraft Systems business segment. “As the most prolific unmanned aircraft system, Raven gives frontline forces the ability to perform their tasks more effectively and safely. We are committed to helping the Norwegian armed forces employ Raven systems successfully.”
The Raven is a 4.2-pound, backpackable, hand-launched sensor platform that provides day and night, real-time video imagery for “over the hill” and “around the corner” reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition in support of tactical units. Each Raven system typically consists of three aircraft, two ground control stations and spares.
The U.S. armed forces use Raven systems extensively for missions such as base security, route reconnaissance, mission planning and force protection.
AV’s other small UAS include Puma(tm) and Wasp(tm), which also are hand-launched and controlled by AV’s hand-held ground control station. Each aircraft in AV’s family of small UAS is interoperable and tailored to address a variety of operational user needs. AV’s UAS logistics operation supports systems deployed more worldwide to ensure a consistently high level of operational readiness. AV has delivered thousands of small unmanned aircraft to date.
International purchasers of Raven systems also include Italy, Denmark, the Netherlands and Spain.