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AeroVironment has been selected to deliver the US Army’s next-generation counter-unmanned aircraft system missiles.
In addition, the C-UAS and advanced air and missile defence technology developer was awarded a $95.9 million contract for the US Army’s Long-Range Kinetic Interceptor (LRKI) program through the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation and Missile Center and Missile Technology Consortium.
As part of the LRKI program, the company will manufacture and deliver its Freedom Eagle (FE-1) kinetic C-UAS missile.
“FE-1 strengthens our nation’s air defence arsenal by providing an urgently needed kinetic C-UAS solution – built to fill the gaps in today’s defence capabilities and meet the adversarial threats of tomorrow,” AV Precision Strike and Defense Systems Group executive vice president Jimmy Jenkins said.
“This selection by the US Army is a testament to AV’s intentional investments, unmatched agility and technical expertise, and unwavering commitment to our nation’s national security priorities.
“We are quickly scaling production to deliver FE-1 to the front lines, where they’ll provide critical warfighter protection and inform our development for full-rate manufacturing.”
FE-1 is a low-cost, high-performance solution to neutralise Groups 2 and 3 UAS while maintaining residual capability against Group 1 UAS, fixed wing, and rotary wing aircraft with increased lethality, extended range, and rapid launch capabilities.
The missile has already achieved a successful live-fire demonstration of its dual-thrust solid rocket motor; controlled test vehicle launches and warhead tests.
“FE-1 is more than just a missile. It’s a transformative capability for next-generation air and missile defence,” said Daniel Noland, AV senior director of strategic capture.
“Our team, side by side with our industry partners and US Army customers, has put in long hours in the lab and on the range because they believed in the mission: to rapidly develop the technology our warfighters need to tackle our nation’s toughest aerial threats.
“We’re ready to transition this disruptive technology from research and development to the battlefield and focused on ramping up manufacturing to deliver with scale and speed.”
AV has reportedly developed critical strategic partnerships to successfully deliver the entirely new kinetic platform built to counter rapidly evolving air threats on a rapid timeline.
FE-1 joins AV’s portfolio of C-UAS solutions, such as Switchblade and JUMP 20 precision strike and loitering munitions.
