AeroVironment declared that it has secured an order from the United States Marine Corps on March 15, 2012 through an existing U.S. Army contract. The company received this firm fixed-price order, worth $3,653,519 to deliver RQ-11B Raven small unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) and initial spares components to the U.S. Marine Corps before April 17, 2012.
The RQ-11B Raven unmanned aircraft system is a 4.2-pound, backpackable, hand-launched sensor platform that provides "over the hill" and "around the corner" reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition in support of tactical units. (Photo: Business Wire)
According to AeroVironment Senior VP and General Manager for UAS, Tom Herring, Marines and other military services rely on small UAS capability called the Raven system. It provides consistent frontline situational awareness at all times.
The RQ-11B Raven UAS is a backpackable, hand-released sensor platform that weighs 4.2-lb. It is capable of generating real-time video imagery to a transportable ground control station wirelessly for surveillance, reconnaissance, and target achievement in complex environments. Raven systems are being employed by the U.S. armed forces for broad range mission applications like mission planning, base security, force protection and route reconnaissance. Each Raven system includes two ground control stations, three aircraft, and spares.
AeroVironment’s Family of Small UAS consists of Shrike VTOL, RQ-11B Raven, Wasp, and RQ-20A Puma AE. These systems operate with common ground control system to enable the warfighter to help ground commanders make the right choice of mission-specific aircraft. Therefore, both small tactical units and security personnel can receive force protection and force multiplication advantages. New as well as replacement small UAVs are available at AeroVironment. The Qube small UAS has been designed to serve public safety missions, first response and law enforcement applications.