MONROVIA, Calif., April 12 (UPI) -- More than $13.8 million in incremental funding from the U.S. Army has been given to AeroVironment Inc. for more RQ-11B Raven UAVs.
The funding for continued performance of a contract with a not-to-exceed value of more than $65,538 million, also covers new miniature gimbaled payloads for the unmannned aerial vehicles and initial spares packages.
"The proven Raven small unmanned aircraft system continues to serve our soldiers reliably, wherever and whenever they require immediate airborne situational awareness," said Roy Minson, AeroVironment senior vice president and general manager, Unmanned Aircraft Systems.
"Like all our customers, the Army's needs continue to evolve, and we continue to deliver enhanced solutions to ensure that our troops maintain their battlefield advantage. The Mantis suite of gimbaled payloads is the latest example of a valuable capability enhancement to protect those who protect us."
The Raven is a hand-launched UAV that weighs just 4.5-pounds and provides video imagery to a portable ground control station for reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition. It was used in Iraq and now Afghanistan.
