AeroVironment to Develop its Wildcat Autonomous VTOL UAS for DARPA’s ANCILLARY Program
AeroVironment (AVAV) was selected by DARPA for the development of the Wildcat Autonomous VTOL UAS as part of the ANCILLARY program. The Wildcat UAS is designed for ship-based operations in challenging maritime environments. It features a long-endurance, large-payload capacity, and uses SPOTR-Edge machine learning for enhanced mission effectiveness. The Wildcat meets DARPA's objectives with a 450 nmi mission radius, 12-hour endurance, and the ability to operate in high sea states and winds. Additionally, it offers modular payload capacity and requires minimal infrastructure for launch and recovery. AVAV will further develop Wildcat in collaboration with DARPA and the Office of Naval Research.
- Selected by DARPA for continued development of Wildcat UAS.
- Wildcat UAS designed for challenging maritime environments with ship-based operations.
- Long-endurance, large-payload capacity (12 hours, 60 lbs payload).
- 450 nautical mile mission radius.
- SPOTR-Edge machine learning enhances mission effectiveness.
- Operates in high sea states and winds.
- Modular payload capacity for enhanced mission flexibility.
- Requires minimal infrastructure for launch and recovery.
- Designed for collaboration with other Wildcat UAS for search missions.
- No specific financial data or contract value disclosed.
- Potential high R&D costs associated with advanced UAS development.
- Development timelines and milestones not clearly specified, posing potential risks.
Insights
AeroVironment's selection by DARPA for the development of its Wildcat VTOL UAS is a significant endorsement of its capabilities in the aerospace and defense sector. Wildcat's design specifically for challenging maritime environments suggests robust engineering tailored for high-stakes naval operations. Noteworthy is its mission radius of 450 nautical miles and an endurance of over 12 hours. This exceeds many current capabilities within its category, suggesting it could become a game-changer for the U.S. Navy and Marines.
The use of autonomy and machine learning in Wildcat's SPOTR-Edge system indicates a forward-thinking approach to reducing operational burden and enhancing mission effectiveness. This aligns well with the strategic shift towards autonomous systems in modern warfare. Additionally, the modular payload capability can enhance operational flexibility, making it adaptable for a range of missions.
The VTOL capability, especially its tail-sitter design, minimizes the need for extensive launch and recovery infrastructure. This is vital for operations from smaller vessels or in less accessible locations, providing a tactical advantage.
Overall, this development underscores AeroVironment's technical prowess and strategic alignment with future military needs.
The selection of AeroVironment by DARPA is a positive signal to investors, indicating confidence in the company's technological capabilities and potential for future government contracts. Such contracts can be lucrative, providing a stable revenue stream. The development of the Wildcat UAS aligns with DARPA’s Advanced airCraft Infrastructure-Less Launch And RecoverY program, a high-priority area for defense spending.
AeroVironment's historical performance in the UAS space, with millions of operational flight hours on systems like the Raven and Puma AE, reinforces its credibility and reliability. This can translate into sustained financial growth and potentially higher stock valuations.
Investors should note the emphasis on long-endurance and large-payload capabilities, which are key differentiators in the defense market. The ability to meet and exceed program objectives, such as operating in high sea states and achieving speeds over 100 knots, positions the company well against competitors.
However, the financial implications of the development and production phases should be monitored closely. While the initial down-selection is promising, the full financial impact will depend on subsequent phases and potential production contracts.
AV’s Group 3 Wildcat UAS is a long-endurance, large-payload vertical take-off and landing solution developed for a variety of maritime operations. (Artist’s Rendering: AeroVironment)
“We have prioritized controllability to ensure Wildcat meets the ‘anytime, anywhere’ goal of DARPA’s ANCILLARY program,” said AV’s Vice President of MacCready Works Chris Fisher. “Wildcat leans on autonomy to reduce operational burdens while enabling safe, infrastructure-less launch and recovery in challenging conditions from a range of Navy ships.”
Wildcat leverages AV’s SPOTR-Edge machine learning-enabled computer vision to enhance mission effectiveness. This capability builds on operational learnings AV has gained as a leader in the Group 1 to 3 UAS space with millions of operational flight hours on its Raven®, Puma™ AE, and JUMP® 20 uncrewed systems.
ANCILLARY calls for the development of a low-weight, large-payload, long-endurance VTOL UAS for missions executed by the
Designed specifically for the ANCILLARY program, Wildcat meets DARPA’s objectives for a 450 nautical mile (nmi) mission radius and over 12 hours of endurance on station with 60 lbs of payload. Additionally, Wildcat exceeds program objectives for sea state recovery and cruise speed, with the ability to operate in high sea states and winds, and dash over 100 knots to quickly cover long distances over sea or land.
Wildcat’s large modular payload capacity will enhance mission responsiveness and flexibility, and its tail-sitter design requires fractional infrastructure and footprint compared to other offerings. It is designed to operate as part of a larger fleet of Wildcat UAS that leverage collision-avoidance and autonomy to deconflict airspace and collaborate to perform search missions in degraded or denied airspace.
“Our solutions are specifically crafted for the operator and Wildcat is no exception. AV has a strong history of seamlessly integrating our systems into a soldier’s daily operations and we look forward to further developing this design in partnership with DARPA and the Office of Naval Research for the ANCILLARY program,” continued Fisher.
ABOUT AEROVIRONMENT
AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV) is a global leader in intelligent multi-domain robotic systems, uncrewed aircraft and ground systems, sensors, software analytics and connectivity. Headquartered in
SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT
Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are made on the basis of current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors outside of our control, that may cause our business, strategy or actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, our ability to perform under existing contracts and obtain additional contracts; changes in the regulatory environment; the activities of competitors; failure of the markets in which we operate to grow; failure to expand into new markets; failure to develop new products or integrate new technology with current products; and general economic and business conditions in
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MEDIA CONTACT
Ashley Riser
AeroVironment, Inc.
+1 (805) 750-6176
pr@avinc.com
Source: AeroVironment, Inc.
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