AeroVironment has secured a three-year, $97.4 million contract through the U.S. Army’s Aviation and Missile Technology Consortium, or AMTC, to develop the Generative Environment for the Next Era of Spectral Imaging Stimulators, or GENESIS.
Initiatives such as the GENESIS program highlight the Army’s efforts to modernize. Gain more insights on the service’s priorities and strategies at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Army Summit on June 18. Register now to connect with the leaders shaping the future force.
What Is the Scope of the GENESIS Contract?
AeroVironment said Thursday it will develop and implement prototype testing environments at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. The work includes facilities equipped with flight motion tables and cryogenic space chambers intended to support the development of advanced Integrated Air and Missile Defense, or IAMD, systems. The combined environment will enable joint planning, modeling and validation across space, air and missile defense domains for the Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center, or DEVCOM AvMC, and partner organizations.
“By creating realistic, repeatable, and scalable testing ecosystems, we’re helping the Army accelerate innovation, strengthen deterrence, and ensure our warfighters maintain a decisive advantage in every domain,” said Mary Clum, president of space, cyber and directed energy at AeroVironment.
What Is GENESIS?
GENESIS is a hardware-in-the-loop, or HWIL, testing environment designed to support evaluation of missile defense and electro-optical/infrared sensor technologies. The system integrates multi-spectral projection, precision optics, ultra-high frame-rate imaging and facility control systems to replicate complex operational environments.
HWIL and scene generation capabilities combine real hardware with simulated conditions to test sensors, guidance and control systems in realistic operating scenarios. This capability allows DEVCOM AvMC to evaluate system performance, reduce development risk and speed the transition of technologies to operational use.
Previous AeroVironment Army Contracts
The GENESIS award adds to several U.S. Army-related contracts secured by AeroVironment. In 2024, the company was awarded a $990 million contract to equip infantry formations with a standoff capability and received a $743 million contract ceiling increase for continued production of Switchblade loitering munition systems. In 2025, the company received an $874 million contract for Puma and Raven uncrewed aircraft systems, supporting foreign military sales, and a $95.9 million award for the Freedom Eagle counter-UAS interceptor program.
