AeroVironment Sells Drones to Aussie Military

AeroVironment Inc. formally signed contracts on Tuesday to deliver its Wasp drone to the Australian military starting next year. The Monrovia company is partnering with three other companies for delivery and maintenance of each aircraft system made up of two 2.8-pound Wasp aircraft and one ground control system. Delivery of the aircraft begins in July 2018 and goes for three years. AeroVironment develops, builds and tests its unmanned aircraft in Simi Valley. The company joined with Xtek Ltd., a procurer of security and protective equipment for the Australian homeland security market; Sentient Vision Systems, specializing in video analytics; and General Dynamics Mediaware, a supplier of digital video technology. David Sharpin, vice-president of AeroVironment’s Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems business unit, said the contract is indicative of the company’s growing footprint in foreign countries. “This collaboration reflects the unwavering commitment of all four companies and the (Australian military) to support and protect the dedicated members of the Australian armed forces with the best unmanned aircraft system capabilities available in the world today,” Sharpin said in a prepared statement. Shares closed down 41 cents, or just more than 1 percent, to $37.74 on the Nasdaq.