American defense company AeroVironment (AV), known in Ukraine for its Switchblade kamikaze drones, announced that it has received a five-year Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract worth $874.26 million from the U.S. Department of War.
This contract will support export deals for the sale of UAVs, including the JUMP 20, P550, Puma, Raven, and the Titan C-UAS. In addition to these systems, the military support package will also include training in the operation and maintenance of UAVs, as well as spare parts and logistical support.
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It should be noted that in the United States, all major export contracts for the sale of weapons are concluded by the government rather than by the manufacturers themselves. That is why the Pentagon concludes such agreements with manufacturers, acting as the customer, and only afterward signs a weapons-supply agreement with the foreign government.
According to the official AV website, the company's products are reliable and combat-proven, ensuring flexibility in combat missions. Each of the aforementioned UAVs is designed for a specific operational environment, and when employed correctly, they can deliver substantial advantages on the battlefield.
At the same time, AeroVironment tested some of its solutions in Ukraine. In particular, in 2022, the company transferred 100 Quantix Recon light reconnaissance UAVs to Ukraine. In the same year, with U.S. funding, an agreement was concluded to supply the RQ-20 Puma AE. In 2024, an agreement was signed to produce Switchblade 600 kamikaze drones in Ukraine.
The company also supplied Titan C-UAS, a portable electronic warfare system that can be installed on UAVs, vehicles, etc. Thanks to the experience gained in Ukraine, AeroVironment was able to adapt its systems to modern threats.
Regarding the UAVs included in the agreement, particular attention can be drawn to the P550, which has not yet been supplied to Ukraine but is soon to be delivered to the U.S. Army under the Long Range Reconnaissance (LRR) program as part of a $13.2 million contract. It is reported to be adapted for strike operations and rapid deployment in field conditions. The drone features artificial intelligence and offers up to five hours of battery life.
Earlier, Defense Express reported that the Ukrainian battlefield had revealed shortcomings in electronic warfare systems and UAVs. Testing new technologies in real-world threat conditions allows companies to modernize their products faster. AeroVironment is no exception.
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