Middle East ‘Regional Power’ Buys AeroVironment Puma UAVs for $44 Million

Unmanned systems maker, AeroVironment has secured a $44.5 million contract for Puma II AE small UAS featuring the new Mantis i45 sensor from a Middle Eastern nation.

“This contract for the ground forces of a Middle East regional power, reflects AeroVironment’s ongoing commitment to equipping more allied forces with the innovative UAS solutions needed to ensure successful missions in a wide range of operations,” said Kirk Flittie, vice president and general manager of AeroVironment’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems business segment in a March 6 release.

In addition, the US DoD announced a Puma II AE contract with the Egyptian armed forces worth $9 million on Friday.

Puma AE UAS equipped with the Mantis i45 sensor suite enables operators to see better and farther than ever before, providing more actionable intelligence so users can proceed with certainty. Capable of ground and water landings, the rugged, portable and fully waterproof, Puma AE gives operators unmatched operational flexibility in the small UAS class.

The onboard Mantis i45 electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) gimbal sensor suite delivers dramatically improved imaging capabilities to give military users world-class ISR capabilities comparable to platforms many times the size and cost of Puma AE.

In operations, the Mantis i45 reduces the likelihood of detection by increasing the distance between the Puma AE and areas of interest while still providing the clarity and image quality of a close-range asset. Its high-resolution imagery also aids in target analysis, positive identification and enables operators to identify threats to friendly forces more effectively.

By minimizing Puma’s exposure to detection by the enemy, the Mantis i45 greatly improves its ability to complete reconnaissance missions safely and effectively.