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AeroVironment Gets $146M For Lethal Drones

Simi Valley-based unmanned aircraft systems maker AeroVironment says it has been awarded a $146M contract from the United States Army, for its "Switchblade" "aerial missile system". The company said the first year is worth $76M. The company said it will provide a full system, including Switchblade systems, operator training, and support and logistics. AeroVironment's Switchblade is a backpackable drone system which can linger in a target area and be deployed beyond line of sight, traveling as far as 6 miles from its launch location. The company said it expects to start delivering units on the contract by September, with two additional, one-year options that could extend the contract through April 2023. AeroVironment's drones are armed with an explosive warhead, and are used to hit targets "kamikaze" style by crashing into them and destroying those targets.