[SatNews] After winning their fourth DoD small UAS competition, the contract for numerous units was received...

AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV) has received a firm-fixed-price contract delivery order valued at $11,500,000 for new digital Puma‚ All Environment (AE) unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), initial spares packages and training services on April 11, 2011. The items were procured under the existing United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) All Environment Capable Variant (AECV) indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract. Deliveries are scheduled to be completed over the next several months. USSOCOM selected the Puma UAS in 2008 for its AECV program after a full and open competition, the fourth U.S. Department of Defense competition for programs of record involving small UAS and the fourth such competition won by AeroVironment. Each Puma system consists of three air vehicles and two ground control systems. The air vehicle carries an integrated electro-optical and an infrared gimbaled video payload, is designed for enhanced durability in land and maritime environments and can operate effectively in foul weather and over rugged terrain. Its quiet operation, stabilized imagery and precision landing capability make Puma systems easy to operate and recover. The Puma air vehicle weighs 13 pounds, is battery powered and has a flight endurance of two hours.

“Puma is already making a difference in the field. Our customers cite the quality of its imagery and its overall usefulness, which they say make Puma instrumental in saving lives,” said Tom Herring, AeroVironment senior vice president and general manager of its Unmanned Aircraft Systems business segment. “We see more opportunities ahead for Puma to help our customers where and when they need it.”