RQ-11B Raven UAS
AeroVironment Inc. has received a $15.8 million initial order from the United States Army out of a total projected contract of $66 million.
The order includes RQ-11B Raven systems, new miniature gimbaled payloads and initial spares packages, and is funded from the Army’s fiscal 2012 procurement budget.
The delivery of systems, spares and payloads is scheduled for completion by April 30, 2013.
The RQ-11B Raven unmanned aircraft system is a backpackable, hand-launched sensor platform that provides day and night, real-time video imagery wirelessly to a portable ground control station for “over the hill” and “around the corner” reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition in support of tactical units.
AeroVironment lately unveiled its Mantis line of miniature gimbaled sensor payloads. The single payload replaces two separate sensor payloads on the Raven air vehicle, delivering daytime and nighttime capabilities from a single package.
Roy Minson, AeroVironment senior vice president and general manager, Unmanned Aircraft Systems, said, “Since winning the Army’s small unmanned aircraft system competition in 2005 we have focused on delivering highly reliable, highly capable Raven systems and on continuously enhancing their capabilities. The new miniature gimbaled payload is the latest example of cost-effective improvements that will benefit soldiers directly through enhanced situational awareness.”
