AeroVironment, Inc. has announced that the United States Army has selected it and four other companies to compete for future small UAS requirements under a new Firm Fixed-Price Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with a $248 million maximum value.
The contract will enable the continued procurement of AeroVironment’s RQ-11B Raven and RQ-20A Puma AE systems as well as competing medium- and long-range small unmanned aircraft systems. The other companies are Altavian, Innovative Automation Technologies, Lockheed Martin and Elbit Systems of America.The Army awarded these shell contracts to all five companies that entered the bid to cap the future procurement, per specific requirements as defined by the Army.
“We have successfully competed for every major United States Department of Defense program of record involving small UAS and have delivered highly reliable systems with increasing capability to support our warfighters,” said Roy Minson, AeroVironment Senior Vice-President and General Manager of its Unmanned Aircraft Systems business segment. “This new IDIQ contract provides for continued procurement of small UAS, reflecting the high value of this capability. We look forward to supporting the U.S. Army and other customers with market leading small UAS solutions that anticipate the ever- evolving needs of warfighters and address the budgetary constraints of governments.”
Lockheed martin will be able to offer the Stalker UAS for the Army, as well as to other services relying on Army procurement for their UAS needs.
For Elbit Systems, the recent win is a major step forward in the US Small UAS market. In 2011, UAS Dynamics – a joint venture established between Elbit Systems and General Dynamics in 2009 lost the opportunity to sell its drones to the US Marine Corps, under the STUAS competition that was eventually won by Boeing/Insitu. Few months later General Dynamics divested its share in the company. The recent win is an important opportunity for Elbit Systems to regain its foothold in the North American market, particularly with the its Skylark 1LE which was modified specifically for the US market.
For IA-Tech and Altavian the Army contract opens new opportunities for growth. Altavian CEO John Perry, said he expects the Army to put out bids within the next few months, according to the Gainesville Sun. Perry said his company could triple its workforce if they wins substantial orders for its Nova Block III unmanned aircraft system. In August 2012 Altavian and ISR Group announced a teaming agreement, to expand Altavian’s marketing, operations and support to international markets and areas of operation. Sofar the company has been focusing on domestic operations.
Photo: Puma – AeroVironment
Source: Press Release /Defense Update