A Middle eastern ally has awarded AeroVironment a firm fixed-price contract worth nearly $12 million for logistics support, spares, and repair services in support of its existing fleet of AeroVironment Puma AE and Raven B tactical UAS.

With a period of performance of two years, the contract was awarded on Oct.25, AeroVironment says. 

“Our United States and global customers require reliable, rugged and combat-proven tactical unmanned aircraft systems that defense and security personnel can deploy immediately from their rucksacks without the need for runways or other launch logistics,” says Rick Pedigo, vice president of sales and business development for AeroVironment.

“This order builds on our fast-growing international customer base as more allied forces rely on our innovative systems to proceed with certainty on the frontlines.”

Designed for rapid deployment and high mobility for operations that require low-altitude intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, the Raven UAS, which is launched by hand, provides aerial observation, during both the day and at night, at line-of-sight range of at least 6.2 miles.

The UAS is equipped with a stabilized gimbaled payload that delivers real-time color or infrared imagery to ground control and remote viewing stations.

Described as a “fully man-portable” UAS, the Puma AE, which is also launched by hand, is designed for land and maritime operations, and can land on land, as well as in the water. With a standard antenna, the all-environment UAS operates for up to 2.5 hours at line-of sight range of 20 kilometers. With AeroVironment’s Long-Range Tracking Antenna, the operational range increases to up to 60 kilometers.

The Puma AE is equipped with a Mantis i45 sensor suite that provides the operator with extended flight time and a level of imaging capability that, according to AeroVironment, was “never before available in the small UAS class.”