AeroVironment, Inc., a global defence technology company, and Thunder Tiger Corp., a Taiwan-based developer and manufacturer of unmanned systems, have announced a memorandum of understanding to explore collaboration on uncrewed systems integration, potential unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) localization and co-production and future capability co-development in Taiwan.
The agreement establishes a framework for evaluating multiple areas of cooperation, including the potential integration of select AV Switchblade Family of Systems configurations with Thunder Tiger’s unmanned surface and ground platforms. The companies will also explore opportunities to leverage Taiwan’s industrial capacity to support future unmanned aircraft co-production and co-development.
The companies formally signed the memorandum of understanding during the Association of the United States Army Annual Meeting & Exposition in Washington, D.C.
“Modern defence demands the ability to rapidly integrate proven capabilities and produce them at scale,”
said Church Hutton, senior vice president and chief growth officer at AV.
“Our focus is on bringing proven technology and industrial capabilities together to create more options for how unmanned systems are developed, integrated and produced.”
Under the agreement, AV and Thunder Tiger intend to evaluate the technical feasibility of integrating a launcher designed to carry multiple Switchblade all-up rounds with Thunder Tiger’s unmanned surface vessel, including opportunities to advance interoperability and support future demonstrations.
The collaboration reflects AV’s broader approach to create and expand international industrial partnerships and explore opportunities to accelerate the development, integration and production of unmanned systems.
Source: AeroVironment, Inc.