AeroVironment awarded contract to supply RQ 11B Raven SUAS to US Army.

AeroVironment Inc. has been awarded a $13 million, single-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract, for Raven RQ-11B small unmanned aircraft systems (SUAS). This contract, awarded on September 30, satisfies recurring requirements for RQ-11B SUAS, spares kits, ancillary equipment, and recurring related training.

1st Lt. Steven Rose launches an RQ-11 Raven unmanned aerial vehicle near a new highway bridge project along the Euphrates River north of Taqqadum, Iraq, Oct. 9, 2009. (Photo: U.S. Army / Spc. Michael J. MacLeod)

The location of performance is U.S. Southern Command Area of Responsibility which includes Central America, South America and the Caribbean nations. The work is expected to be completed by September 28, 2023. This award is the result of a non-competitive acquisition and one offer was received.

The AeroVironment RQ-11 Raven is a small hand-launched, remote-controlled, unmanned aerial vehicle (SUAV) developed for the United States Army, but now adopted by the military forces of many other countries. The RQ-11 Raven was originally introduced as the FQM-151 in 1999, but in 2002 developed into its current form, resembling an enlarged FAI class F1C free-flight model aircraft in general appearance. The craft is launched by hand and powered by a pusher configuration electric motor. The plane can fly up to 6.2 miles (10 km) at altitudes of appx 500 feet (150 m) above ground level (AGL), and over 15,000 feet (4,600 m) above mean sea level (MSL), at flying speeds of 28–60 mph (45–97 km/h). The U.S. Army deploys the Raven at company-level.