AeroVironment receives Middle East order
AeroVironment has received a $44.5 million contract from an unnamed country in the Middle East to supply its Puma II AE small UAS equipped with Mantis i45 sensor, the company announced on 6 March.
The Mantis i45 EO/IR gimbal sensor suite delivers improved imaging to give operators better ISR capabilities at longer ranges. Its high-resolution images also support in target analysis, positive identification and enables operators to identify threats to friendly forces more effectively.
Capable of ground and water landings, the rugged, portable and fully waterproof Puma AE’s enhanced precision navigation system with secondary GPS provides optimal positional accuracy. AeroVironment’s common ground control system allows the operator to control the aircraft manually or programme it for GPS-based autonomous navigation.
Kirk Flittie, vice president and general manager of AeroVironment’s UAS business segment, said: ‘This contract for the ground forces of a Middle East regional power, and our largest international order to date, reflects AeroVironment’s continually growing international customer base and our ongoing commitment to equipping more allied forces with the innovative UAS solutions needed to ensure successful missions in a wide range of operations.'
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![L3Harris launches Amorphous software for control of uncrewed platforms]()
L3Harris launches Amorphous software for control of uncrewed platforms
The new Amorphous software is a universal controller that would allow a single operator to control a swarm of “thousands” of uncrewed systems, from drones to underwater platforms.
-
![ideaForge unveils new UAVs at Aero India 2025]()
ideaForge unveils new UAVs at Aero India 2025
India UAV supplier ideaForge has launched the Netra 5 and Switch V2 drones at Aero India 2025, boasting of enhanced endurance, AI-driven autonomy and improved operational capabilities.
-
![Shaping the future of defence: What 2025 holds for the global drone market]()
Shaping the future of defence: What 2025 holds for the global drone market
The UAV market is experiencing unprecedented growth, with innovations in technology and battlefield applications driving demand across military sectors. From the battlefields of Ukraine to NATO exercises and beyond, drones are transforming how wars are fought and supported.
-
![Maris-Tech confirms customers signing up for Jupiter Drones codec and AI-powered system]()
Maris-Tech confirms customers signing up for Jupiter Drones codec and AI-powered system
Launched at AUSA in October, the company’s multi-stream video codec is attempting to bring a new lease of life to drone technology through its AI accelerator.
-
![AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments]()
AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments
Quantum-Systems has been upgrading its UAS family, with new versions of the Vector, Reliant and Twister drones set for release throughout 2025.
