AeroVironment, Inc. announced it received a contract modification effective March 20, 2012 from the U.S. Army Close Combat Weapons Systems (CCWS), Program Executive Office Missiles and Space (PEO MS).
The $5,108,160 modification to the existing contract includes engineering services, operational Switchblade systems and operator training. AeroVironment will work with ATK, its munition subcontractor, to produce and deliver the systems.
On September 1, 2011 AeroVironment announced that it had received the initial $4.9 million order associated with this contract.
“This Army contract represents another important step toward the broader adoption of Switchblade by the military,” said Roy Minson, AeroVironment senior vice president and general manager of its Unmanned Aircraft Systems business segment. “Providing our forces with the organic ability to defend themselves with pinpoint accuracy and minimal collateral damage, Switchblade delivers a capability unmatched by any other weapon system.”
“We are pleased to support AeroVironment in providing a system that empowers our soldiers to respond to attacks quickly and precisely without causing unnecessary collateral damage,” said Mark Messick, vice president and general manager of Advanced Systems, ATK Aerospace Systems. “With Switchblade, our troops on the ground are safer, more efficient and more effective.”
AeroVironment is a technology solutions provider that designs, develops, produces, operates and supports an advanced portfolio of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and electric transportation solutions. Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services use the company’s electric-powered, hand-launched unmanned aircraft systems extensively to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real-time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance and communication.
ATK is an aerospace, defense, and commercial products company with operations in 22 states, Puerto Rico, and internationally.
