AeroVironment (AV) has secured a substantial contract valued at nearly $240 million, enabling the company to provide long-haul laser communications terminals to an undisclosed customer for orbital deployment. This innovative technology employs laser-based optical links instead of conventional radio frequencies, facilitating secure and rapid data exchanges between satellites.
The terminals are designed for versatility, capable of functioning at various orbital levels, including low-Earth, medium-Earth, and geostationary orbits. Notably, the technology has been engineered to endure the challenging conditions of space, withstanding launch vibrations, extreme temperature fluctuations, and the absence of atmospheric protection against heat.
Earlier this year, AV successfully validated its laser communication system through a multi-orbit demonstration involving two terminals, leading the company to prepare its manufacturing facilities for an increase in production capacity. The recent contract signifies a pivotal transition for AV, moving its laser communication technology from laboratory testing to actual operational use in the orbital environment.
This latest agreement is a continuation of a series of recent contracts for AV across various sectors, both within the United States and Europe. Just last month, the firm delivered its first batch of P550 small uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) to the U.S. Army as part of the Long-Range Reconnaissance initiative. In June, AeroVironment’s Wildcat UAS advanced through significant developmental milestones under the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) Early Vertical Take-off and Landing Aircraft Demonstration program.
Additionally, in April, the company obtained a contract to supply unmanned ground systems intended to neutralize explosives for the German Armed Forces. Earlier in the year, Italy also announced a $46.6 million deal to acquire AV’s Jump 20 fixed-wing platforms, intended to modernize its aging fleet of AAI RQ-7 Shadow drones.
This recent contract and ongoing projects emphasize AeroVironment’s strategic expansion within the aerospace and defense sectors, highlighting its commitment to advancing technology that meets the evolving demands of military and commercial clients.
