AeroVironment Upgrading Ravens for Marines

AeroVironment Inc. received an order from the U.S. Marine Corps for upgrade kits for its small unmanned aerial vehicles. The $7.8 million order is expected to be completed by the end of April. The upgrade allows the Raven unmanned aircraft to operate using a different frequency band than provided by the stock configuration. The Raven is a backpackable, hand-launched aircraft that provides real-time video imagery for reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition in support of tactical units. Mark R. Madler