AeroVironment Inc. has announced that the U.S. Marine Corps has ordered $19.3 million in BATMAV (Battlefield Air Targeting Micro Air Vehicle) systems, each comprising two Wasp III micro air vehicles, AV's Advanced Battery Charger, spares and support services. The order followed a successful Marine Corps evaluation of Wasp systems provided by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA.

The Marine Corps will procure the BATMAV systems through the Air Force BATMAV contract, which was awarded to AV in December 2006 and provides a means for other U.S. armed services to procure these systems. The Marine Corps plans to issue Wasp III systems for deployment at the platoon level, representing a basis of issue that is lower in the force structure than that of AV's Raven small unmanned aircraft system.

The U.S. Air Force selected Wasp III as the micro UAS for its BATMAV program. With a wingspan of 29 inches and weighing only one pound, the Wasp III carries one infrared and two color cameras that transmit streaming video directly to the hand-held ground controller for display on an integrated monitor. Wasp III is the first micro air vehicle to be adopted by the U.S. armed forces in support of a program of record. Its portability and reliability are being demonstrated through continuing evaluation in forward locations.
AV designs, develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and efficient electric energy systems. AV's small UAS are used by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and by allied military services to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real-time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition.

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