AeroVironment has supplied Raven and Puma AE unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to two US Department of Defense (DoD) customers.

The Raven and Puma AE aircraft operate with new M1 / M2 / M5 radios and a frequency spectrum allocated to small UAS by the DoD.

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AeroVironment Tactical UAS Business Unit vice-president David Sharpin said: “Integrating the new M1 / M2 / M5 radio frequencies into our family of small UAS gives our customers the ability to seamlessly and securely conform to the Department of Defense’s new frequency spectrum allocation and proceed with certainty.

“By combining all three frequency bands in the same transceiver module, we’ve made it easy for users to select the frequency band associated with the part of the world in which they are operating without having to swap any hardware.”

Additionally, AeroVironment has launched an M1 / M2 / M5-compatible Pocket DDL AE that can operate in all environments.

The Pocket DDL AE uses a USB interface and XML messaging to control radio functions.

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"We’ve made it easy for users to select the frequency band associated with the part of the world in which they are operating without having to swap any hardware."

Designed for tactical operations, search and rescue, asset tracking, long-range communications, mission command, and targeting, Pocket DDL AE will help operators to perform UAS tasks more effectively, AeroVironment stated.

Sharpin added: “Combined with the M1 / M2 / M5 upgrade to our Pocket DDL AE, this provides greatly enhanced capability across our entire family of small UAS products for improved tactical operations.

“This example demonstrates our ongoing commitment to upgrade our Family of Systems products and provide new capabilities to our existing and new customers around the world.”

The company will begin taking orders for M1 / M2 / M5-configured Wasp AE micro air vehicles (MAV) in December 2017, with planned delivery in 2018.

Image: The Raven and Puma AE aircraft operate with new M1 / M2 / M5 radios. Photo: courtesy of AeroVironment.

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