AeroVironment is focused on rapidly ramping up the production of its Freedom Eagle kinetic counter-unmanned aircraft system missile to deliver it to the U.S. Army under a $95.9 million contract. The new award was secured through the Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center Aviation & Missile Technology Consortium for the Long-Range Kinetic Interceptor program, AV said Wednesday.
How Is AV Accelerating FE-1 Delivery?
To transition the new kinetic platform from research and development to the battlefield on a rapid timeline, AV has assembled a team of industry experts and developed critical strategic partnerships. The team includes Applied Systems Engineering Inc., a provider of engineering and avionics solutions.
“FE-1 strengthens our nation’s air defense arsenal by providing an urgently needed kinetic C-UAS solution–built to fill the gaps in today’s defense capabilities and meet the adversarial threats of tomorrow,” said Jimmy Jenkins, executive vice president of AV’s precision strike and defense systems group. “We are quickly scaling production to deliver FE-1 to the frontlines, where they’ll provide critical warfighter protection and inform our development for full-rate manufacturing.”
What Are FE-1’s Key Features?
The FE-1 is designed as a low-cost, high-performance solution for neutralizing Groups 2 and 3 UAS. It also maintains residual capability against Group 1 UAS and fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, offering increased lethality, extended range and rapid launch capabilities. AV said FE-1 has reached multiple development milestones, including a live-fire demonstration of its dual-thrust solid rocket motor, controlled test vehicle launches and warhead tests, which the company cited as evidence of technological maturity and reduced technical risk ahead of fielding.
“FE-1 is more than just a missile. It’s a transformative capability for next-generation air and missile defense,” said Daniel Noland, senior director of strategic capture for AV. “We’re ready to transition this disruptive technology from research and development to the battlefield and focused on ramping up manufacturing to deliver with scale and speed.”
The FE-1 missile joins AV’s existing portfolio of C-UAS technologies, which includes directed energy, radio frequency-based and electronic warfare systems.
