Company / Aerial Drones
AV
US defence technology company, formerly AeroVironment, known for the Switchblade loitering munition and small unmanned aircraft.
Arlington, United StatesAerial Drones systems
About the company
About AV
AV is the name under which AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) has operated since completing its acquisition of BlueHalo in May 2025. The company moved its corporate headquarters from Simi Valley, California, to Arlington, Virginia, in 2021 and is led by Chairman, President and CEO Wahid Nawabi.
AV is one of the best-known Western suppliers of loitering munitions with its Switchblade family, and it also builds small unmanned aircraft such as Puma, Raven and JUMP 20. Since the BlueHalo merger the company is organised into two segments: autonomous systems, and space, cyber and directed energy.
The enlarged portfolio covers counter-UAS technologies, directed energy, space-based platforms and electronic warfare capabilities, with more than 3,750 employees at the time of the merger.
In the news7 stories
Counter-UAS laser: US Army puts Locust X3 into production with Aerovironment and Leonardo DRS
From testing to production: for the first time, the US Army has ordered a high-energy laser weapon system for drone defence. Quantities, contract value and delivery dates remain undisclosed.
Loitering munition rethought: Aerovironment positions Mayhem 10 as a networked multi-role effector
The Switchblade manufacturer considers the image of the "flying kamikaze drone" outdated: Mayhem 10 is meant to be more than a loitering munition and, depending on the situation, to reconnoitre, jam, deceive or strike. Series production is to start by autumn 2026.
Laser counter-drone defence: AeroVironment successfully tests Locust in US airspace for the first time
For the first time, a laser counter-drone system has passed a test in US national airspace. The focus was on shut-off mechanisms and civil air traffic – the FAA sees no increased risk.
Loitering munition for the US Marine Corps: Anduril supplies Bolt-M for the OPF-L programme
After 13 months of testing, the USMC has chosen Anduril's Bolt-M. More than 600 of the loitering munition systems are to follow by April 2027, with fielding to the troops starting in summer 2026.
Loitering munition from the main battle tank: GDLS and Aerovironment unveil PERCH launch system
Firing Switchblade 300 and 600 directly from the Abrams or Stryker: the PERCH kit from GDLS and Aerovironment turns loitering munition into vehicle armament. It was shown at the US Army's MARS event in Fort Hood.
VTOL drone Wildcat: Aerovironment reaches milestones in DARPA's EVADE programme
VTOL drone for ship decks: Aerovironment's Wildcat has achieved the transition to forward flight and validated core systems. Simulated maritime missions with payloads are next.
Reconnaissance drones: AeroVironment upgrades the Netherlands’ Puma drones
The Puma mini-UAS of the Dutch armed forces have reached the end of their service life. AeroVironment is upgrading the reconnaissance drones to Block III, supplemented by the larger Puma LE – the first systems reach the troops this year.