Options For P550 UAS Could Extend Deal To $42M

AeroVironment and its partner Parry Labs have been awarded a 3-year contract with a base value of $13.2 million plus options that could grow to $42 million to provide the U.S. Army with the newly developed P550 UAS for its Long Range Reconnaissance program.

The P550 is an all-electric, high-performance aircraft that provides long-range ISR – intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance – capabilities along with lethal effects. AV is to deliver P550 system updates as well as support and documentation for the Army, PEO Aviation, PM UAS, PdM SUAS for testing, evaluation, and integration into the Army’s family of systems.

This award is in addition to the previously announced delivery of P550 systems to PM UAS.

Jason Hendrix, Vice President of Small Uncrewed Aerial Systems for AV said, “AV’s LRR offering was engineered to meet the Army’s unique needs, resulting in an architecture tailored to match battalion-level battlefield requirements. AV has a strong track record of providing both ISR and lethal effect solutions to the U.S. Armed Forces. We are confident that P550 will effectively bridge the current capability gap, providing the Army with critical functionalities in a single, adaptable platform.”

The P550 is equipped with advanced AI and autonomous capabilities and serves as a readily deployable asset for enhanced situational awareness, force protection, and targeting in contested environments.

Its airframe is a quick-connect design that requires no tools, and its VTOL mode of flight reduces exposure of friendly forces to enemy fire.

Hendrix continued, “From its inception, P550 was designed with a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA). The ability to swiftly install and exchange payloads, update mission software, and interoperate with other Army elements depending on mission requirements is crucial to operational success and soldier safety. AV’s partnership with Parry Labs integrates their proven mission system components into P550, offering best-in-class solutions that anticipate soldier needs. P550 embodies a true MOSA system, providing maximum flexibility with minimal logistical demands.”

FMI:  www.avinc.com/