AeroVironment, a leading provider of innovative unmanned solutions, has secured a significant contract with the U.S. Army to supply lethal unmanned systems (LUS). The five-year contract, awarded by the Army Contracting Command-Aberdeen Proving Ground, is structured as an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) agreement, with a contract ceiling of $990 million. This contract marks a critical step in the Army's efforts to enhance the capabilities of its infantry battalions with advanced, man-portable loitering munition systems.
Under this contract, AeroVironment will deliver its combat-proven Switchblade® systems, a cutting-edge loitering munition designed to provide precision strike capabilities against fortified targets such as armored vehicles and tanks. The Switchblade systems are also equipped to track and engage moving targets beyond the line of sight, significantly enhancing the lethality and operational flexibility of U.S. soldiers on the battlefield.
Deliveries of the Switchblade systems are expected to begin within the next few months, marking the start of a comprehensive rollout aimed at boosting the Army's combat readiness. This initiative, known as the LUS Directed Requirement, represents the Army's first major effort to equip its infantry units with such lethal, portable technology.
“AV is proud to have been selected to provide Switchblade for this critical and urgent Army requirement,” said Brett Hush, AeroVironment’s senior vice president and general manager of Loitering Munition Systems. He emphasized that this contract underscores the maturity and effectiveness of AV’s systems, as well as the company’s strategic readiness to deliver these advanced solutions rapidly.
The Switchblade system is heralded as the next generation of loitering munitions, designed for multi-domain operations with high-precision optics and extended endurance capabilities. This contract is expected to further solidify AeroVironment’s position as a leading provider of unmanned systems, aligning with the company’s commitment to supporting the U.S. Army's mission with advanced technology that enhances both operational superiority and the safety of military personnel.
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