AeroVironment Unveils P550 eVTOL UAS

AeroVironment (AV) has launched the P550 autonomous Group 2 eVTOL uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) at the Association of the United States Army’s (AUSA) Annual Meeting.

The P550 enhances battlefield adaptability and operational readiness through a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) and AI-driven autonomy. This all-electric UAS has over 5 hours of flight endurance and can carry a multi-sensor payload of up to 15 pounds, which is important for intelligence gathering, precision targeting, and force protection in combat. Its field-reconfigurable design allows for rapid operational adjustments.

The MOSA framework supports integration with third-party payloads, datalinks, ground control systems, and mission software, enabling adaptation to technological advancements while minimizing costs and risks. Standard interfaces facilitate interoperability with various ground control systems for mission flexibility.

The P550 features a modular structure with toolless assembly, hot-swappable batteries, and multi-sensor payloads for operational readiness. It supports offensive capabilities, including laser designation and sensor-to-shooter functions, and its communication architecture provides flexible datalink options.

The P550 also integrates AV’s SPOTR-Edge Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) and AVACORE software for onboard edge computing. These AI features allow the UAS to autonomously detect and classify key objects, improving situational awareness and tactical decision-making.