MONROVIA, Calif., Oct. 3 (UPI) -- AeroVironment Inc is providing its Mantis i23 gimbaled sensor payload to the U.S. Army as part of an upgrade of RQ-11B Raven unmanned aerial systems.
The Mantis i23 is a multi-axis pan, tilt and zoom sensor payload.
"Since delivering the first Raven system to the Army nearly 10 years ago, we have remained relentlessly focused on ensuring that our customers have the most capable, reliable and effective tactical UAS available," said Roy Minson, AeroVironment senior vice president and general manager of the company's UAS business segment. "The Army's Raven system, with AeroVironment's rugged gimbaled sensor payload and the recent digital data link upgrade of its entire fleet, is a modern tool for gaining superiority on the battlefield."
The value of the Army order is nearly $19.2 million. It was issued under a 2012 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract.
AeroVironment said delivery of the sensors will take place within one year.
The Raven is a hand-launched tactical UAS. About 5,000 are deployed with U.S. military forces.
