AV Unveils Advanced Software Updates to Enhance Puma UAS Capabilities in Contested Environments

AeroVironment (AV) announces a powerful suite of software updates, called Project GOLD, that elevate the battlefield effectiveness of its Puma™ 3 AE and Puma™ LE, in contested environments. The new updates bolster the Puma uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) to maintain reliable navigation and mission performance even when GNSS and communications signals are unreliable, unavailable or deliberately jammed. The software-only upgrades ensure Puma UAS can continue mission-critical tasks autonomously and securely, reducing reliance on GPS and enhancing survivability in hostile areas.

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A soldier hand-launches the Puma 3 AE, equipped with advanced GPS-denied capabilities, ensuring mission continuity in contested environments. (Photo: AeroVironment)

Featured Updates:

• GPS-Denied Capabilities: Puma 3 AE and Puma LE now support additional advanced Assured Position Navigation and Timing (APNT) capabilities in GNSS denied environments.
• Visual Navigation (VNS): Providing greater capability utilizing Puma’s VNS system with end-to-end GNSS-denied operation and an additional layer of GNSS spoofing detection and rejection.
• Enhanced Radio Security: Enhanced security features with the latest software and UI/UX ensuring robust communications in contested environments.
• Increased Payload: Software update allows for 60% increase in Puma 3 payload capacity, up to 6.5lbs of total payload for advanced multi-mission support.

“With these software enhancements, we’re reinforcing the adaptability and resilience of our Puma Systems for the most demanding battlefield conditions,” said Trace Stevenson, AV’s senior vice president and general manager of Uncrewed Systems. “These capabilities allow warfighters to maintain operational superiority, even when adversaries attempt to disrupt critical systems, ensuring greater mission success and survivability.”

These new capabilities are delivered through software updates, requiring no hardware modifications to existing systems, thus offering a cost-effective and rapid upgrade path for deployed fleets. All new Puma systems will include these features, and currently fielded units can be easily upgraded using the Puma Software Update Kit.

ABOUT AEROVIRONMENT

AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV) is a global leader in intelligent multi-domain robotic systems, uncrewed aircraft and ground systems, sensors, software analytics and connectivity. Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, AeroVironment delivers actionable intelligence so our customers can proceed with certainty. For more information, visit www.avinc.com.

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Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are made on the basis of current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors outside of our control, that may cause our business, strategy or actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, our ability to perform under existing contracts and obtain additional contracts; changes in the regulatory environment; the activities of competitors; failure of the markets in which we operate to grow; failure to expand into new markets; failure to develop new products or integrate new technology with current products; and general economic and business conditions in the United States and elsewhere in the world. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see the reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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