Approx $7 Million for VTOL JUMP 20
AeroVironment’s recently-acquired subsidiary Arcturus UAV has been awarded a task order, valued at approx. $7 million (€6.8 million) by US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) for its JUMP 20 VTOL UAS, the new parent company announced on 9 March. The task order has a one-year period of performance, effective 3 February 2021.
USSOCOM selected Arcturus UAV as one of six companies qualified for the potential $975 million Mid-Endurance UAS (MEUAS) contract last June. The contract enables awardees to compete for site-specific task orders and provide USSOCOM with UAS services and support for ISR operations.
“Part of AeroVironment’s expanded portfolio of medium UAS, the fixed wing JUMP 20 is capable of vertical take-off and landing, making it completely runway-independent,” explained Rick Pedigo, AeroVironment VP of Global Sales and Business Development. “Runway-independence maximizes the ability of customers to deploy the JUMP 20 in a broad range of locations and environments, while minimizing the logistical footprint required to operate it. JUMP 20 is also capable of hosting multiple different payload options, delivering true versatility and multi-mission capabilities to support a wide array of customer requirements.”
AeroVironment recently successfully demonstrated the JUMP 20 for the US Army Future Tactical UAS (FTUAS) Rodeo, 22 February-5 March at Fort Benning, GA. The company previously announced the closing of the Arcturus UAV acquisition on 22 February.
