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MONROVIA: AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) today announced that The Netherlands Ministry of Defence, acting through its Defence Materiel Organization (DMO), has awarded AV a contract for RQ-11B (Raven) small unmanned aircraft systems. The order includes new aircraft systems as well as training, logistics support, and airworthiness certification. Each Raven system typically consists of three aircraft, a ground control station, a remote video terminal, system spares, and related services. The total award value is $7.7 million and is fully funded.
“We performed a thorough competitive selection process and the Raven came out as a clear winner,” said Frans Klein, Head Section Unmanned Aircrafts for The Netherlands Defence Materiel Organization. “Decisive elements in the selection were hand-launchability, reliability, ease of use, robustness, and proven, in-theatre operational performance.”
“The selection of Raven by The Netherlands Ministry of Defence demonstrates confidence in its proven reliability and ability to support operational needs wherever required,” said Ilker “Ike” Bayraktar, AV vice president of international initiatives. “This contract award is another example of AV’s continued progress in introducing this joint capability to allied military forces.”
AV’s Raven is a 4.2-pound, backpackable, hand-launched sensor platform that provides day and night, real-time video imagery for “over the hill” and “around the corner” reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition in support of tactical units. U.S. armed forces use Ravens extensively for missions such as base security, route reconnaissance, mission planning and force protection.
In addition to Raven, AV’s small UAS include Puma and Wasp, which are also hand-launched and controlled by AV’s hand-held ground control station. AV’s UAS logistics operation supports systems deployed worldwide to ensure a consistently high level of operational readiness. AV has delivered more than 9,000 small unmanned aircraft to date. Other international purchasers of Raven include Italy, Denmark, Australia and Spain.
Building on a history of technological innovation, AV designs, develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and efficient energy systems. The company's small UAS are used extensively by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and increasingly by allied military services to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real-time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition. AV’s PosiCharge® fast charge systems eliminate battery changing for electric industrial vehicles in factories, airports, and distribution centers.
