AV awarded phase II for prototype demo

MONROVIA, Calif., May 28 (UPI) -- California-based AeroVironment Inc. has been contracted to provide a flying prototype for the U.S. Defense Department's Nano Air Vehicle program.

The phase II contract is from the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. Under the new six-month, $636,000 development deal, AV will demonstrate its 3-inch flapping-wing air vehicle system for the NAV program.

DARPA's NAV program is an effort to develop air vehicles capable of flying operations indoor and outdoor for reconnaissance in urban environments. Officials say the AV prototype weighs less than 10 grams and is capable of a 2 gram payload.

"Our Raven and Wasp III UAS (unmanned aerial system) began as early development programs similar to the NAV program, and now help protect the lives and enhance the operational effectiveness of war fighters and first responders," said John Grabowsky, AV executive vice president and general manager of unmanned aircraft systems.

"The NAV program represents the early development of a revolutionary new class of UAS that could eventually provide valuable new capabilities to our customers."