AeroVironment Gets $47M JUMP 20 VTOL Contract for Italy

INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
AeroVironment has announced it has actually been awarded a $46.6 M contract by the Italian Ministry of Defence for the delivery of its JUMP
20 vertical launch and landing (VTOL) medium uncrewed airplane system (MUAS)
The five-year agreement includes the procurement of JUMP 20 air lorries, engineering services, preliminary sustainment and onsite technical
assistance ensuring rapid fielding and functional preparedness from day one.This agreement constructs on our history of supporting NATO
allies with first-rate uncrewed systems that shows our unwavering commitment to innovation and objective success reinforcing our credibility
as a trusted partner our customers can rely on.JUMP 20 is a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), fixed-wing UAS with 30 pounds of payload
capacity, 13+ hours of endurance and a functional range of 185 km (115 mi)
Purpose-built for expeditionary operations, the system can be kept and transported with ease and autonomously launched and recuperated
without personnel intervention, making it ideal for dynamic on-the-move operations.The selection follows a strenuous and highly competitive
procurement process, where JUMP 20 distinguished itself for its capability to meet the Italian MODs strict technical and operational
requirements while replacing their existing Shadow UAS fleet with a contemporary, versatile solution.We are honoured to strengthen our
partnership with the Italian Ministry of Defence through the delivery of the JUMP 20, a system that boosts their operational abilities, said
Shane Hastings, AVs vice president and basic supervisor of Medium UAS
This contract builds on our history of supporting NATO allies with first-rate uncrewed systems that shows our steady dedication to
innovation and mission success reinforcing our credibility as a trusted partner our customers can rely on.The JUMP 20 delivers advanced
intelligence, security, and reconnaissance (ISR) abilities with multi-payload flexibility and seamless interoperability throughout current
and future systems
Constructed on a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA), the platform makes it possible for quick combination, simple upgrades, and unrivaled
versatility to support a wide range of evolving mission demands.Source: AeroVironment