US Army exercises another Raven FCS option
A US Army soldier hand-launches a Raven B UAS in order to have a birds-eye view of the area during a field training exercise at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. (Photo: US Army/Sgt Dustin Biven)
AeroVironment will provide the US Army with avionics and data link upgrade packages for the Raven tactical UAS by July 2022.
The US Army has exercised the second of three contract options with AeroVironment under the sole-source Flight Control Systems (FCS) element of the multi-year Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (SUAS) contract.
This $20.98 million contract option means that AeroVironment will provide avionics and data link upgrade packages by July 2022 to modify radio frequencies employed by US Army Raven tactical UAS. A previous FCS option was exercised in July 2020.
The US Army is the biggest single operator of Raven with more than 6,600 of the hand-launched ISR aircraft in its inventory, according to Shephard Defence Insight.
The SUAS has a wingspan of 1.4m and weighs 1.9kg with an operational range of 10km. It is equipped with a Mantis i23 EO/IR gimballed payload for delivery of real-time video or IR imagery to ground control and remote viewing stations.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![Jammer resistant drone designs spark search for countermeasures]()
Jammer resistant drone designs spark search for countermeasures
The Russia-Ukraine conflict has driven another stage of evolution for drones and the counter measures to defend against them.
-
![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.
