AeroVironment will supply Puma 3 AE sUAS to two US-allied nations
Puma 3 AE provides tactical reconnaissance capabilities for land and maritime operations. (Photo: AeroVironment)
AeroVironment has received two firm-fixed-price US DoD FMS contracts worth $20.87 million.
AeroVironment announced on 20 September that the company has received two firm-fixed-price US DoD FMS contracts worth $20.868 million to provide Puma 3 All Environment (AE) small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) to two unnamed allied nations.
The deal also comprises the supply of initial spares packages, training and contractor logistics support.
Although the details about the allied nations were not disclosed, the company pointed out that the customers are among the more than 50 allied governments employing AeroVironment’s UASs.
Shephard Defence Insight notes that the Puma 3 AE sUAS is part of the inventory of armed Forces in New Zealand, Ukraine, UK, US and Uzbekistan.
Puma 3 AE SUAS is a multi-mission capable, rugged, low-cost, man-portable, easy-to-operate system which provides tactical reconnaissance capabilities for land and maritime operations.
It has a wingspan of 9.2ft (2.8 m), weighs 15.4lb (7kg) and can operate up to 37.2 miles (60km) with AeroVironment’s Long-Range Tracking Antenna.
Operators can easily and quickly swap Puma 3 AE’s payloads, selecting between the Mantis i45 and the enhanced night variant, Mantis i45 N. The sUAS is also launchable by hand, bungee, rail or vehicle and is recoverable by deep-stall landing.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Edge and Indra to form manufacturing entity to meet European loitering munition demand]()
Edge and Indra to form manufacturing entity to meet European loitering munition demand
Once approved by shareholders, the newly established manufacturing company will be developed in Spain and will look to address the burgeoning demand for loitering munitions from Spain and the rest of Europe.
-
![US pledges to become “AI-first warfighting force” as navy hits new autonomy milestone]()
US pledges to become “AI-first warfighting force” as navy hits new autonomy milestone
A memo released on Monday outlines three key areas where the Pentagon can accelerate its adoption of artificial intelligence, including paths to finding new ways to integrate AI in combat, while the US Navy continues to push ahead with AI-enabled autonomy.
-
![US Pentagon pursues industry input to address drones’ payload and navigation limitations]()
US Pentagon pursues industry input to address drones’ payload and navigation limitations
The US Department of Defence along with its services and agencies have been increasing efforts to enhance the uncrewed aerial vehicle capabilities to succeed in future warfare.
-
![Project Nightfall to test fire deep-strike capabilities for Ukraine by 2027]()
Project Nightfall to test fire deep-strike capabilities for Ukraine by 2027
The UK competition for industry to develop deep-strike capabilities for Ukraine in its war effort against Russia will also provide benefits for the country’s own long-range strike efforts.
