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AeroVironment Introduces the Qube Small Unmanned Aircraft System for Public Safety Professionals; Announces Test and Evaluation Program

Dépèche transmise le 27 octobre 2011 par Business Wire

MONROVIA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) today introduced the Qube^TM portable UAS for use in public safety applications such as law enforcement and first response. Small enough to fit easily in the trunk of a car, the Qube system can be unpacked, assembled and ready for flight in less than five minutes, giving the operator a rapidly deployable eye in the sky at a fraction of the cost of manned aircraft.

“Public safety professionals have been asking for this capability for years”

“Public safety professionals have been asking for this capability for years,” said Tom Herring, AeroVironment senior vice president and general manager of Unmanned Aircraft Systems. “They have learned about the effectiveness of our Raven, Wasp and Puma UAS over the battlefield and want a similar capability that is tailored to their mission requirements. The Qube system targets their needs and will provide a portable aerial vantage point to help public safety workers perform their duties more safely and effectively.”

The Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) air vehicle can hover for 40 minutes – twice the endurance of similar unmanned air vehicles. Equipped with dual color and thermal video cameras, the air vehicle can transmit live video directly to the operator to assist with threat assessment, situational awareness, search and rescue, perimeter security and a variety of other missions.

To demonstrate the Qube system’s unique capabilities, AeroVironment is introducing a trial and evaluation program for public safety agencies. Interested agencies can learn more about this program by completing a request for information form at www.avinc.com/qube.

About AeroVironment

AeroVironment is a technology solutions provider that designs, develops, produces and supports an advanced portfolio of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and electric transportation solutions. Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services extensively use the company’s electric-powered, hand-launched Raven®, Wasp™ and Puma™ systems, to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real-time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance and communication. Multiple government agencies have helped to fund the development and demonstration of Global Observer^®, a hybrid-electric, stratospheric UAS designed to provide affordable, persistent reconnaissance and communication over any location on the globe. Switchblade^TM is a loitering munition designed to provide a rapid, lethal, pinpoint precision strike capability with minimal collateral damage. AeroVironment’s electric transportation solutions include a comprehensive suite of electric vehicle (EV) charging systems, installation and data services for consumers, automakers, utilities and government agencies, power cycling and test systems for EV developers and industrial electric vehicle charging systems for commercial fleets. More information about AeroVironment is available at www.avinc.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

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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