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April 21, 2011 / 1:19 PM

More Puma drones for Special Ops forces

The Puma UAS in Basra, Iraq, courtesy of the U.S. Navy via Wikimedia Commons.

The Puma UAS in Basra, Iraq, courtesy of the U.S. Navy via Wikimedia Commons.

MONROVIA, Calif., April 21 (UPI) -- The U.S. Special Operations Command has ordered new digital Puma All Environment unmanned aircraft systems from AeroVironment Inc.

The firm fixed-price delivery order, expected to be completed over the next several months, is worth $11.5 million.

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"Puma is already making a difference in the field," Tom Herring, AeroVironment senior vice president and general manager of its unmanned aircraft systems business segment said. "Our customers cite the quality of its imagery and its overall usefulness, which they say make Puma instrumental in saving lives.

"We see more opportunities ahead for Puma to help our customers where and when they need it."

The Puma is a small UAS that weighs 13 pounds, is battery-powered and has a flight endurance of two hours.

Each Puma system consists of three air vehicles and two ground control systems. The air vehicle carries an integrated electro-optical and an infrared gimbaled video payload, is designed for enhanced durability in land and maritime environments and can operate effectively in foul weather and over rugged terrain.

The order, which includes initial spares packages and training services, comes under an existing USSOCOM indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract.

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