• Automated, integrated and easy to use, the highly automated Quantix drone allows West Point cadets to focus on data analytics

• Builds on AeroVironment’s ongoing collaboration with universities nationwide to support student development and product enhancement

SIMI VALLEY, Calif. –  AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems for both defense and commercial applications, today announced its MacCready Works lab has donated automated Quantix™ hybrid drones, spare parts and AeroVironment’s Decision Support System (AV DSS™) analytics software to West Point to support the military academy’s Center for Innovation and Engineering and Geography and Environmental Engineering Department.

“MacCready Works is a focal point for AeroVironment’s continuous innovation, focusing on relentless problem solving and doing what has never been done before,” said Kirk Flittie, AeroVironment vice president and general manager of its Unmanned Aircraft Systems business segment.  “We are fortunate to have the opportunity to collaborate with and support the prestigious West Point Military Academy as we work together to advance unique and innovative solutions using the Quantix system.”

West Point cadets will deploy two Quantix systems as part of the collaboration.  The Quantix system is a fully integrated drone, sensor and software information solution for collecting and using aerial imagery that is as easy to use as an app.

The drone’s robust hybrid VTOL technology allows Quantix to operate effectively in a variety of conditions so cadets can collect data and create actionable intelligence when and where they need to.

This donation is part of AeroVironment’s ongoing support for West Point cadets and the company’s commitment to supporting those who defend freedom.  The company also hosts West Point cadets as interns at AeroVironment’s California facilities and hopes to collaborate on future projects with West Point.

Further supporting American troops and first responders, AeroVironment offers a rebate on the purchase of a new Quantix and AVDSS ecosystem bundle to active and veteran United States military personnel and active and retired law enforcement and fire fighters and their immediate families. Visit https://www.avdroneanalytics.com/veterans-rebate/ to learn more.

No Federal endorsement implied.

• Upgraded airframe now accommodates concurrent operation of i45 gimbaled sensor suite and signals intelligence (SIGINT) payloads

• Latest Digital Data Link (DDL) offers M1/M2/M5 and M3/M4/M6 frequency bands and AES-256 encryption

• Complete system of three air vehicles and two ground control stations now transportable in four portable cases

HUNTSVILLE, Ala., at AUSA Global Force Symposium, March 26, 2018 – AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for both defense and commercial applications, today announced at the AUSA Global Force Symposium (booth 1429) that the company is now taking orders for its new PumaTM 3 small unmanned aircraft system.

“We are in constant communication with our customers to ensure they have the most innovative and advanced small drones to successfully complete their missions.  As a result of their feedback, the new Puma 3 includes air vehicle upgrades for operation in even more rugged environments than before, improved ability to support advanced third-party payloads and software applications and reliability in challenging electronic warfare/cyber environments where interference is prevalent,” said David Sharpin, vice president of AeroVironment’s Tactical UAS business.

AeroVironment upgraded the Puma’s airframe to enable robust operation of its i45 EO/IR sensor suite with SIGINT payloads in harsh and demanding environments. In addition, the Puma 3 incorporates AeroVironment’s latest digital data link (DDL) with security upgrades to support operation in more challenging radio frequency (RF) environments, with M1/M2/M5 and M3/M4/M6 frequency bands and with AES-256 encryption.

Sharpin said that, as part of ongoing efforts to stay at the forefront of battery technology, AeroVironment is releasing a new Puma smart battery that is more efficient and includes safety enhancements.  AeroVironment also has optimized the portability of Puma from six transport cases to four, with a flyable configuration in a single transport case that features luggage-type handles.  All these upgrades are incorporated while maintaining Puma 3’s renowned all-environment capability.

As previously announced, AeroVironment also is developing an upgrade to the RQ-11B Raven, called Raven 3.  The upgraded Raven system will incorporate new camera technology into the i23 gimbaled sensor, similar to advancements made to Puma 3 and its i45 gimbal.  These upgrades are still in progress and more information on Raven 3 will be available at the AUSA Symposium in October.

MONROVIA, Calif., Jan. 3, 2018 – AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for both defense and commercial applications, today announced the formation of a joint venture to develop solar-powered high-altitude long-endurance, or HALE, UAS for commercial operations. This category of UAS is also referred to as high-altitude pseudo-satellites, or HAPS. The joint venture will fund the development program up to a net maximum value of $65,011,481.

The joint venture, HAPSMobile, Inc., is a Japanese corporation that is 95 percent funded and owned by Japan-based telecommunications operator SoftBank Corp. and 5 percent funded and owned by AeroVironment, Inc. AeroVironment is committed to contribute $5 million in capital for its 5 percent ownership of the joint venture, and has an option to increase its ownership stake in HAPSMobile up to 19 percent at the same cost basis as its initial 5 percent purchase.

“This is a historic moment for AeroVironment. For many years, we have fully understood the incredible value high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft platforms could deliver to countless organizations and millions of people around the world through remote sensing and last mile, next generation IoT connectivity,” said Wahid Nawabi, AeroVironment chief executive officer. “We were searching for the right strategic partner to pursue this very large global opportunity with us. Now we believe we are extremely well-positioned to build on the decades of successful development we have performed to translate our solar UAS innovations into long-term value through HAPSMobile, Inc. Our entire team is excited, and we look forward to transforming this strategic growth opportunity into reality.”

AeroVironment pioneered the concept of high-altitude solar-powered UAS in the 1980s, and developed and demonstrated multiple systems for NASA’s Environmental Research Aircraft and Sensor Technology, or ERAST program, in the late 1990s and early 2000s. In August 2001, the AeroVironment Helios prototype reached an altitude of 96,863 feet, setting the world-record for sustained horizontal flight by a winged aircraft. In 2002, the AeroVironment Pathfinder Plus prototype performed the world’s first UAS telecommunications demonstrations at 65,000 feet by providing high-definition television (HDTV) signals, third-generation (3G) mobile voice, video and data and high-speed internet connectivity. Multiple United States government agencies funded the development of the hybrid-electric Global Observer unmanned aircraft system from 2007 through 2011. Global Observer represents a solution for extended operation over high Northern and Southern latitudes during local winters, when the sun’s energy is insufficient to maintain continuous solar aircraft operation at high altitude.

SoftBank Corp. and AeroVironment, Inc. have agreed to license certain background intellectual properties to HAPSMobile, which will own the newly developed UAS intellectual property and possess exclusive rights for commercial applications globally, and non-commercial applications in Japan. AeroVironment will possess exclusive rights to the resulting intellectual property for certain non-commercial applications, except in Japan. AeroVironment will also possess exclusive rights to design and manufacture all such aircraft in the future for HAPSMobile, subject to the terms of the Joint Venture Agreement.

For additional information, please see AeroVironment’s Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 3, 2018.