AeroVironment receives $36M in new tactical missile orders

During the past few weeks, AeroVironment has received $36.7 million in new orders under a U.S. Army contract for its Switchblade tactical missile systems, the company reported today.

The orders were issued on Aug. 20, Sept. 4 and Sept. 5 under a sole source contract established last year. AeroVironment and its strategic teammate for advanced warheads, ATK, will work together to produce and deliver the systems. All orders under the contract include operational and training rounds plus training, support and rapid delivery.

“Even in tight defense budget environments, there is a need for innovative new weapon systems that allow our customers to achieve decisive force while reducing total mission costs,” Tim Conver, AeroVironment chairman and CEO, said in a statement.

Sometimes called a “suicide drone,” Switchblade is essentially a small UAS that can be remotely or autonomously piloted for quick, high-precision airstrikes. At six pounds, it’s small enough to be carried in a backpack, but it can be deployed in the field within minutes.

The United States Army Close Combat Weapons Systems Program Executive Office Missiles and Space awarded the contract modifications.

[ photo courtesy of AeroVironment ]