Aerovironment announced an $8.4 million order from the US army for the RQ-11B Raven unmanned aerial system (UAS). This recent order is the latest in a long line; the US military has over the past decade ordered over 3,000 of the small, hand-launched aircraft. The RQ-11B includes a digital upgrade that allows encrypted communications.
The Raven is operated by the US army, marines and air force, in addition to a number of NATO member states. The Ravens are routinely deployed to battlefields with tactical units to provide over-the-hill visual reconnaissance.
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Aerovironment is in the midst of a transition from Raven production to other UAVs, and has been conducting research and development on significantly larger vehicles, notably the hydrogen-powered Global Observer.
Source: Flight International
