American Made Advocacy: New Congress, New Opportunities
The Government Circuit: News on Defense Electronics, Europe, and Sustainability
Defense Speak Interpreted: SWaPing Nanosatellites for Defense Systems
AV Secures $990M Contract to Supply U.S. Army with Switchblade Loitering Munitions
August 29, 2024 | BUSINESS WIREEstimated reading time: 1 minute
AeroVironment (AV) has been awarded a contract for the U.S. Army’s Directed Requirement (DR) for Lethal Unmanned Systems (LUS). The 5-year contract from Army Contracting Command-Aberdeen Proving Ground is Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) with a contract ceiling value of $990M. Deliveries of the Switchblade® systems are expected to begin in months.
The LUS Directed Requirement is the Army’s first effort to equip soldiers in infantry battalions with lethal, man-portable loitering munition systems. The combat-proven Switchblade systems will enhance soldiers' capabilities with precision flight control, greater lethality against fortified targets such as armored vehicles and tanks, and the ability to track and engage moving non-line-of-sight targets. AV was awarded a contract for the LUS Directed Requirement in December 2023 and is currently delivering systems under that contract.
“AV is proud to have been selected to provide Switchblade for this critical and urgent Army requirement,” said Brett Hush, AV’s senior vice president and general manager of Loitering Munition Systems. “This latest contract underscores the unmatched maturity and effectiveness of our system, as well as AV’s strategic positioning to rapidly produce and deliver these cutting-edge solutions to operators in the field.”
Switchblade represents the next generation of extended-range loitering munition systems, providing operators in the field with a multi-mission loitering munition system capable of multi-domain operations. The combat-proven system also features high-precision optics and extended loitering endurance.
“Starting with the LUS Directed Requirement, we are well positioned to meet the Army’s emerging needs, leveraging our robust production capability and supply chain capacity to ensure rapid fielding and enhanced combat overmatch for our soldiers,” continued Hush.
This contract further solidifies AV’s role as a leading provider of innovative unmanned solutions. The company remains committed to supporting the U.S. Army’s mission by delivering advanced technology that ensures operational superiority and enhances the safety and effectiveness of our military personnel.
Share on:
Suggested Items
AV Secures $288 Million Delivery Order on $990 Million Contract with U.S. Army
02/04/2025 | BUSINESS WIREAeroVironment (AV), a global leader in intelligent, multi-domain robotic systems, today announced it has been awarded its third delivery order totaling $288 million of Switchblade® loitering munition systems as part of U.S. Army’s Directed Requirement (DR) for Lethal Unmanned Systems (LUS).
Laser Photonics Propels R&D Efforts in Wafer Marking
02/04/2025 | BUSINESS WIRELaser Photonics Corporation, a leading global developer of industrial laser systems for cleaning and other material processing applications, and its recently acquired subsidiary, Control Micro Systems, Inc. (CMS Laser), announced the expansion of their Laser Wafer Marking technology research and development program.
Airbus Signs New Study Contract to Define France's Future Maritime Patrol Aircraft
02/04/2025 | AirbusThe French Defence Procurement Agency (Direction Générale de l'Armement) has signed a contract with Airbus Defence and Space as prime contractor, in partnership with Thales, for a risk-assessment study of the future maritime patrol aircraft programme.
Rehm Thermal Systems: Future Technologies for Coating, Dispensing and Vapour Phase Soldering Live at IPC APEX EXPO 2025
02/04/2025 | Rehm Thermal SystemsIPC APEX EXPO 2024, which takes place from 18 to 20 March at the Anaheim Convention Center in California, is the largest and most important trade fair for electronics manufacturing in North America.
Spirit AeroSystems Shareholders Approve Acquisition by Boeing
02/03/2025 | PRNewswireSpirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. announced that, at the special meeting of its shareholders held earlier today, its shareholders voted to approve the proposed acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems by The Boeing Company.