AeroVironment (AV) has completed sea trials of its Aqua Puma unmanned aircraft system (UAS) for the Royal Australian Navy to explore adding a UAS capability to the Navy's new Armidale class patrol boats. AV's Aqua Puma is launched by hand, lands onto the sea surface, and is recovered by hand from vessels. It is a next-generation FQM-151 Pointer, with the same form factor but increased endurance (1.5 hours) and enhanced sensor capability.

“We are pleased to have supported the Royal Australian Navy's first small UAS sea trials. Adding the Aqua Puma to the Armidales will require no ship modifications and will add significant day and night reconnaissance and surveillance capability,” said Ilker Bayraktar,vice president of international business development for AV. “Continued expansion into foreign markets is a key objective of the company. Successful trials such as these with the Royal Australian Navy are early but important steps toward the realization of that strategy.”

Bayraktar said that last year the company selected XTEK as its representative for small UAS sales and logistics support in Australia, New Zealand and surrounding nations. This selection allows AV to provide full service, in-country support for Australian system sales, operator training and repairs.

“We are excited to be involved with AV,” said David Jarvis, chief operating officer of XTEK. “Their products are at the cutting edge of this capability and fit into the new network-centric battlefield architecture. Our experience with sophisticated, unmanned ground vehicles will be a big help in this growing field.”

AV and XTEK are providing product and customer support to the Australian Department of Defence, which hasbeen using AV's RQ-11 Raven UAS since their procurement in 2005. The Raven UAS provides dismounted troops with organic reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition capability in day and night operations.

For more information, visit www.avinc.com.