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The US Army has awarded AeroVironment, Inc. an Other Transaction Agreement award for Increment 1 of the Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (FTUAS) program which includes the purchase, testing and delivery of one JUMP 20 medium UAS to a selected Army Brigade Combat Team (BCT) and associated services, training and support.
According to AeroVironment, the JUMP 20 is the first fixed-wing UAS capable of Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL) to be deployed extensively in support of US military forces.
Designed for multi-mission operations, JUMP 20 delivers over 14 hours of endurance, a standard operational range of 115 miles (185 kilometers) and is runway independent. The system can be set up and operational in less than 60 minutes without the need for launch or recovery equipment and has a useable payload capacity of up to 30 pounds (13.6 kilograms).
The JUMP 20 also features a common autopilot and ground control system architecture providing a highly customizable, modular platform that can be custom configured to meet operational or customer requirements.
“With Increment 1 of the FTUAS program, the Army will be testing and fielding the JUMP 20 on an accelerated schedule as they seek a replacement for the RQ-7B Shadow UAS currently fielded in Brigade Combat Teams,” said Gorik Hossepian, AeroVironment vice president and product line general manager for medium UAS. “The combat-proven JUMP 20 is a rapidly deployable, runway independent, vertical takeoff and landing solution for the Army. Its ability to be deployed, operated and sustained from anywhere is a game-changer in theater and in situations where the enemy has invaded or destroyed infrastructure.”
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