AeroVironment (AV) has been chosen to supply the Next-Generation counter-uncrewed aircraft systems (C-UAS) missile (NGCM) to the US Army.
The company has also secured a $95.9m contract from the US Army for the Long-Range Kinetic Interceptor (LRKI) programme.
This contract has been awarded via the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Centre (CCDC AvMC) and the Aviation & Missile Technology Consortium (AMTC).
Under the LRKI programme, AV will develop and supply its Freedom Eagle (FE-1) kinetic C-UAS missile.
The FE-1 is claimed to be a cost-effective, high-performance solution capable of neutralising Groups 2 and 3 UAS, while also retaining some competency against Group 1 UAS, fixed-wing, and rotary wing aircraft.
The solution has already completed a live-fire demonstration of its dual-thrust solid rocket engine, monitored launch tests of the test vehicle, and examinations of the warhead.
AV precision strike and defence systems group executive vice president Jimmy Jenkins said: "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.
“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 frontlines, where they’ll provide critical warfighter protection and inform our development for full-rate manufacturing.”
In order to meet the rapid timelines of developing a new, kinetic platform that counters swiftly changing air threats, AV established strategic partnerships and brought together a team of industry experts, including Applied Systems Engineering.
The company also delivers precision strike and loitering munitions, including Switchblade and JUMP 20.
The FE-1 missile joins AV's portfolio of C-UAS solutions that include Directed Energy (DE), Radio Frequency (RF)-based, and Electronic Warfare (EW) systems.
In August 2024, the company secured a five-year contract, valued at $990m, to supply Switchblade loitering munitions to the US Army.
