MONROVIA, Calif., June 4 (UPI) -- U.S. company AeroVironment Inc. says a contract option has been exercised for the company to produce a third Global Observer unmanned aircraft system.
AV's exercised contract option is part of the Global Observer Joint Capability Technology Demonstration program. The option, along with five previous exercised options, has funded the JCTD program with more than $120 million.
The JCTD program is a initiative to develop hydrogen-powered UAS technologies capable of long duration flights at high altitudes for both military and civil applications.
"Global Observer is an entirely new solution designed to deliver affordable persistence for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and communications through a high altitude unmanned aircraft system with a flight duration of up to one week," Tim Conver, AV chief executive officer, said in a statement.
"This and previous option exercises represent continued conviction regarding the value that Global Observer will provide and validation of the effectiveness of our joint AV, supplier and customer team in developing this important new solution."
