USSOCOM contracts for AV's Puma UAS

MONROVIA, Calif., July 3 (UPI) -- The U.S. Special Operations Command has contracted unmanned aircraft system developer AeroVironment Inc. for the company's Puma AE technology.

California-based AV's Puma AE, a hand-launched UAS, was selected by USSOCOM as its all environment capable variant to meet the command's small UAS requirements. The initial contract is for $6 million. Officials say if all options are exercised, the contract could be worth $200 million over five years.

The Puma AE, currently deployed by the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. allies, provides the military with day and night reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities utilized by military units in dense urban combat environments for additional security.

"AV responded to a USSOCOM requirement for a hand-launched UAS," John Grabowsky, AV executive vice president and general manager of unmanned aircraft systems, said in a statement.

"We are pleased to be chosen to deliver these capabilities into the hands of warfighters with a new, more capable third generation version of our Puma."